Occupant productivity
In addition to fostering the health and well-being of occupants, environments infused with natural daylight have been proven to spark inspiration and cultivate a more productive atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, “access to natural light and views of the outdoors” emerged as the most sought-after benefits in a recent Future Workplace study conducted for the Harvard Business Review in 2021. The findings of this study revealed a remarkable statistic: a staggering 70 percent of participants reported that access to natural daylight directly enhanced their work performance. As organizations and individuals increasingly recognize the influence of daylight on productivity, the demand for well-lit and vibrant workspaces will continue to grow.
Case study: Hotel Emery
Natural daylight extends beyond its functional benefits; an example of this power can be found in downtown Minneapolis, within the historic Midland Bank building. The building was originally converted into The Hotel Minneapolis, however, it was renovated and rebranded as Hotel Emery.
Thinking outside the box, the design team used toplighting to create an urban oasis, melding biophilic elements with the bustling cityscape. The daylighting design not only pays homage to the building’s rich heritage, but also celebrates its architectural essence, accentuating marble and granite that tell stories of the past. The result is a captivating environment that goes beyond the ordinary hotel experience, leaving an indelible impression on the senses and memory of each guest.
By harnessing the power of daylighting to transform the Midland Bank building into an extraordinary destination, Hotel Emery stands as a testament to the potential of embracing daylighting principles, infusing spaces with a sense of timelessness, and fostering a deep connection between the built environment and its occupants.
Conclusion
From fostering healthier environments and achieving optimal illumination levels to elevating the overall aesthetic quality and boosting occupant productivity, daylighting proves to be an indispensable tool for enhancing building designs during adaptive reuse projects.
Building owners, designers, and architects should consider the strategic investment, potentially yielding both immediate and long-term rewards when working on their next adaptive reuse project.
Author
Notes
1 Read the study by Dr. Alan Hedge, medwinpublishers.com
/EOIJ/EOIJ16000166.pdf.
2 See Van Den Wymelenberg, K.G. (2013, November), “Identification of Discomfort Glare Sources from Vertical Fenestration and Occupant Control Strategies.” Illuminating Engineering Society. Retrieved from www.ies.org (white paper courtesy of the author).
3 Consult Ander, G. “Daylighting. Whole Building Design Guide.” Retrieved from www.wbdg.org/resources/daylighting.php.
