LIGHTING (CONT) .
B. Functional Natural light is the light entering our buildings through various openings, during the course of the day and the amount is known as the daylight factor.
“In our buildingswe generally rely on a combination of daylight and artificial light. Lighting serves a functional purpose, and adequate lighting is required to complete a task in hand.”
The sun provides our planet with all our natural light; evenmoonlight is reflected sunlight. The sun emits a broad spectrumof electromagnetic radiation. A full spectrumof wavelengths are emitted and as a result colours can appear brighter than those seen under fluorescent light. Skin looks healthier in daylight than under fluorescent light. The outside light from the sun varies according to the time of day, the time of year, the location on the earth, local weather conditions and prevailing air pollution levels. Daylight is also the most changeable, it varies throughout the day and is seasonal. In the UK there is little light in winter and lots in summer. The visible light frequencies from the sun change during the day, the seasons and according to our location on our planet. In Europe, the daylight standard is described as cool northern
light and the standard is set at 6500K temperature. Natural light can not be controlled, but daylight entering a building can be harnessed. Ideally natural light should be allowed to enter a building; this can reduce use of artificial light. Windows should not be blocked by furniture or decorations. Glare can be distracting and uncomfortable, and canmake computer screens and teaching boards difficult to read. Shadows can cause confusion and can be misinterpreted as a change in the flooring level for example. When glare becomes a problem blinds should be used to filter the light rather than block it out completely. Plants can also be used to filter light from the afternoon sun.
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