Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Better Light, Better Schools

  • By David Velarde
  • 03/01/17

There was once a time when windows were primarily viewed as an opportunity for distractions amongst youngsters. Walk into a classroom built circa 1970 and there is decent chance small windows will line the walls. This was before the benefits of daylighting, designing to get the most out of natural light, became apparent.

Of course there is the obvious benefit. More light coming in through the windows means less of a need for artificial light, equating to a lower power bill. Obviously this is better for the environment as well; however, the benefits of natural lighting extend beyond the fiscal. For example, daylighting has also been shown to increase student testing scores and performance. Further, artificial lighting has been found to increase fatigue and levels of stress amongst students. Day-to-day this can have a compounding effect, leading to long-term negative outcomes on our youth. On top of which, increases in natural lighting have been linked to higher attendance rates among students. Ultimately, daylighting leads to a more positive school environment.

When implementing daylighting techniques, a best practice is to install reflective floors to get the most out of the light coming in; however, it is important to take glare into consideration as to not distract students. Also, higher windows are the most effective in allowing the optimum amount of light into the classroom. Thoughtfully placed skylights can be particularly effective, especially in interior rooms which lack window accessibility. Brightly colored interiors can go a step further in leveraging natural light to its fullest potential.

The benefits of daylighting are readily apparent; however, proper steps should be taken in the design phase to ensure students and faculty receive the maximum benefits that come once you let the natural light in.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

About the Author

David Velarde is the Operations director of the Mountain Region for Gordian. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Myrtle Grove Elementary

    Phased Construction Keeps Students on Campus During Rebuild

    When Escambia County School District needed to replace most of Myrtle Grove Elementary School in Pensacola, Fla., it had three distinct challenges: honor the school's legacy in the community, bring state-of-the-art learning environments to the county, and be seamlessly built on the same site as the active school campus.

  • Wenger Names New Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts, Controls

    Wenger Corporation, which provides products and solutions for music and theater education, performing arts and athletic storage, recently announced the hiring of a new Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts and Controls.

  • URI Cuts Underwater Ribbon on New Ocean Robotics Laboratory

    The University of Rhode Island recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Ocean Robotics Laboratory at its Narragansett Bay Campus, according to a news release. Two students used a remotely operated vehicle to cut an underwater ribbon in a 30-by-20-foot test tank.

  • Indiana University Launches Capital Campus in D.C.

    Indiana University recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new IU Capital Campus in Washington, D.C., according to university news. The eight-story facility will provide a central hub for the university’s existing programs and business operations based in D.C., uniting them under one roof and providing the opportunity to expand.