Energy efficiency and savings
It comes as no surprise that integrating daylight into an adaptive reuse project serves as an effective strategy for reducing energy consumption and yielding substantial savings in energy costs.
Electric lighting accounts for 35 percent to 50 percent of the total electrical energy consumption in commercial buildings.2 By generating waste heat, lighting also adds to the loads imposed on a building’s mechanical cooling equipment. However, by implementing appropriate daylighting strategies, building cooling energy usage can be directly reduced by an additional 10 to 20 percent.3
Another crucial aspect to consider is the adaptability of the design to accommodate potential future modifications in the building. At the Lincoln School, 49 TDDs were incorporated into classrooms, kitchen spaces, and open offices. TDDs offer seamless integration with the existing structure and versatility for future interior layout changes. If the building needs change, the TDD’s light distribution lens and tubing can easily be realigned to new locations. Fixtures can be updated by swapping out or adding new accessories to customize the new space, saving the facility owners money and reducing waste.
Case study: Highland Mall
Architects have long acknowledged the impact of effective daylighting design on architectural aesthetics, infusing spaces with vitality and fundamentally transforming them into more inviting, comforting, and inspiring environments. These principles were at the forefront when Austin Community College made the strategic decision to acquire the 92,903 m2 (1 million sf) Highland Mall to accommodate its expanding student population.
The original structure of the mall was characterized as a “concrete bunker,” devoid of natural light and dominated by uninspiring blank walls. The primary goal was to change it into an innovative urban educational campus. To achieve this goal, the design incorporated translucent panel skylights.
By strategically integrating the translucent panel skylights, the once gloomy interior of the mall was bathed in an abundance of natural daylight. The skylights served as a source of illumination, creating a visually captivating and uplifting environment for students and faculty.
