Daylighting and Lighting
Daylighting and Lighting
The Integrated Design Lab provides daylighting, shading, and integrated lighting design assistance and research at all phases of the project delivery process from conceptual design through post-occupancy evaluation and retrofits. We have experience on a broad range of building types including commercial, institutional, educational and industrial projects. We have extensive expertise in conceptualization and development of daylighting design in buildings, and have experience helping design teams meet the most aspirational experiential goals and most demanding energy targets in buildings.
Our capabilities include simulation and analysis of both instantaneous and annual daylighting performance and electric lighting and controls integration as well as with the design and simulation of dynamic shading and glare control systems. The lab maintains an extensive library of glazing and material samples, light redirecting technology, window coverings, and solar control products.
Below is a list of daylighting design assistance services provided by the Lab:
- Climate Analysis
- Programming for daylighting and glare control
- Daylighting concept development
- Building massing and orientation analysis
- Exterior shading analysis
- Interior planning and organization
- Digital and physical modeling and testing
- Interior daylight simulations
- Electric lighting integration
- Project accreditation and certification
The IDL’s daylighting design assistance can be delivered as a stand alone service to a project team or be seamlessly integrated into the broader suite of IDL services. Examples of the IDL’s daylighting projects can be seen here.
If you are interested in talking to us about our Technical Consulting Capabilities, please contact Christopher Meek.
Our Daylighting Facilities
The Daylighting Lab conducts theoretical and applied design research using advanced techniques in physical and digital simulation. Our facility includes a tilting earth heliodon, mirror-box overcast sky simulator, along with an array of digital simulation tools, photometric measuring equipment, data acquisition systems and tools for specialized photography. The heliodon and mirror-box simulator are available to design and engineering professionals as well as UW students as design decision-making resources.
We believe that daylight should be the primary source of illumination in all commercial and institutional buildings today. Buildings illuminated with daylight can provide healthier and higher-quality indoor environments for building occupants while meeting the demands of a low carbon future. Daylight-illuminated buildings have been shown to increase individual productivity and human comfort, promote healing, and provide the mental and visual stimulation necessary for the proper regulation of human brain chemistry.
Since its inception, the Lab has provided design assistance and project-based research on hundreds of major building projects across North America and internationally, including numerous including five AIA National Top Ten Green Projects Award winners.
The lab’s work has been funded by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, the New Buildings Institute, the National Science Foundation, and partner design & ownership teams.
