Reframing and repurposing daylight through adaptive reuse

by arslan_ahmed | September 25, 2023 4:00 pm

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By Neall Digert, Ph.D

“Adaptive reuse,” alternatively known as building reuse, is a remarkable approach that injects vitality and purpose into vacant structures, which is different from the design they were intended for. By preserving and repurposing these structures, adaptive reuse projects contribute to preserving local culture, fostering a sense of continuity and forming a connection to the past for future generations.

These adaptive reuse projects, while promising in their potential, are not without their challenges, primarily due to the inherent limitations imposed by existing structures. When repurposing a structure, architects and designers must navigate through a myriad of constraints, ranging from structural integrity and outdated building systems, to zoning regulations and historical preservation requirements. The architectural team faces the task of envisioning innovative solutions that harmonize the existing structure’s character with the new functionality and design intent. They must carefully evaluate load-bearing capacities, spatial configurations, and potential conflicts between the original architectural elements and the envisioned transformation.

A fine balance

This intricate dance between preservation and adaptation requires a deep understanding of the building’s history, materials, and structural components to ensure all modifications align with the overall vision while respecting the integrity of the original design.

In addition, the challenge of integrating modern amenities and sustainable practices into an aged infrastructure further adds to the complexity of adaptive reuse projects. The retrofitting process often demands creative problem-solving to seamlessly incorporate energy-efficient systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and insulation, without compromising the building’s structural stability or historical authenticity.

Despite these challenges, architects and designers are driven to transform these underutilized structures into vibrant spaces that contribute to the fabric of the community and showcase the harmonious coexistence of past and present. The environmental, cultural, and economic sustainability benefits largely outweigh starting from scratch with new materials and generating additional waste.

Architects, equipped with innovative techniques such as daylighting, can introduce a multitude of benefits with this technology that extend beyond mere aesthetic enhancements.

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Health and wellness

Every day, new research, case studies, design guides and standards highlight the significance of daylight as a primary source of interior lighting, wielding the power to profoundly impact health and happiness.

A daylit environments offers a dynamic interplay of natural illumination. This not only stimulates the senses, but also plays a pivotal role in regulating vital biological processes. For example, with daylight, the environment creates a space for optimal neurotransmitters production, such as serotonin, which is a “feel good” chemical known for influencing mood, well-being, and overall mental health.

The human circadian rhythms are the body’s natural clock. When an individual is exposed to the natural fluctuations of daylight, a remarkable interplay unfolds between the external environment and the intricate neural pathways of the brain. This interaction triggers the release of essential neurotransmitters in response to the ever-changing intensity and spectral composition of daylight throughout the course of the day. These neurotransmitters, acting as messengers, play a pivotal role in directing the body to awaken and become alert during the daylight hours, while facilitating the transition into restful sleep as darkness descends. It also imparts a positive impact on diverse bodily functions, including the regulation of eating habits and digestion, maintenance of optimal body temperature, harmonious hormone release, and other vital physiological processes.

A study by Dr. Alan Hedge,¹ a workplace design expert and professor at Cornell University, found that natural daylight has been shown to decrease eyestrain by 51 percent, drowsiness by percent, and headaches by 63 percent.

Case study: The Independent School District 544

The Lincoln School, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, undertook the ambitious task of repurposing a sprawling 8,361 m² (90,000 sf) structure. Once home to a Target store, the team embarked on a journey to redesign the space, resulting in the newest campus of the Independent School District 544.

Understanding the impact of daylight on human well-being, the district made a deliberate choice to incorporate a thoughtfully planned daylighting design using advanced tubular daylighting devices (TDDs) into this adaptive reuse project. By adopting an innovative top-down daylighting approach, the district successfully transitioned into this previously windowless space. The big box facility was transformed into a highly functional and luminous location, infused with an abundance of natural daylight, creating a healthy and inspiring atmosphere for students and staff alike.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Neall Digert, Ph.D., MIES, vice-president, innovation and market development, Kingspan Light + Air, North America, has more than thirty years of consulting and education experience working in the energy/lighting/daylighting design and research fields, specializing in the design and application of advanced lighting and daylighting systems for commercial building applications.

Notes

¹ Read the study by Dr. Alan Hedge, medwinpublishers.com[7]
/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[8] (white paper courtesy of the author).

³ Consult Ander, G. “Daylighting. Whole Building Design Guide.” Retrieved from www.wbdg.org/resources/daylighting.php[9].

Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/reframing-and-repurposing-daylight-through-adaptive-reuse/

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