Benefits of Natural Daylight Daylight is an essential natural asset. For those of us living in temperate Northern climates, the beneficial effect of sunlight is easy to recognise; a couple of sunny days seem to lift everyone’s spirits. Research also shows that suicide rates are considerably higher in parts of the world where daylight is very limited for significant parts of the year. On a slightly less dramatic but equally significant level, there is also a growing body of evidence to suggest that buildings enjoying high levels of natural light are literally more successful than those more reliant on artificial light. In all environments the eye and brain functions respond better to natural light, so people perform better, while passive solar gain can reduce energy costs. Top of page Education Research demonstrates a clear correlation between classrooms with good natural light and improved student performance and even attendance. This is because in natural light children concentrate better so are more focused and less easily distracted. Some studies suggest that health is also enhanced helping to explain the improved attendance. Top of page Health In the UK we are used to hearing of SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, a clinically diagnosed condition in which the lack of sunlight in winter makes people feel ill. Natural light helps people to feel better but it can also aid the healing process. In hospitals, studies have proven that the recovery rate of patients is accelerated where levels of natural light are increased. Top of page Business Daylight improves concentration so that working environments, be they factories or offices with natural light, tend to achieve increased productivity. Research into retail environments suggests that in many situations sales tend to be better in naturally lit locations; colours are more vivid and true, making goods appear attractive and encouraging customers to spend more time in these areas. A number of the UK’s leading retail organisations include large areas of rooflights in specifications for all new build projects to ensure a high percentage of evenly distributed natural light within the interior. Top of page Recreation People like bright naturally lit environments, evidenced by the huge popularity of domestic conservatories and sunrooms. It is therefore logical that in their leisure time people prefer facilities enjoying high levels of daylight. Most sporting and recreational facilities today try to maximise natural daylight in recognition of this. Top of page Legal Requirements The revised Building Regulations Approved Document L, for the first time acknowledges the well proven benefits of natural light, and the effectiveness of rooflights in providing daylight into a structure. In industrial and commercial buildings revised Document L of the Building Regulations recommends a minimum rooflight area of 10%, and a notional Standard based on 20% rooflight area. For full details of compliance to achieve natural daylight levels with thermal insulation requirements, see Compliance section. Top of page