As architects, we have long recognised the importance of natural light in building design. Natural light reduces the need for artificial lighting and profoundly impacts the health, well-being, and productivity of building occupants. In schools, natural light is especially crucial, as it can significantly influence student learning outcomes, behaviour, and overall quality of life.
In India, where sunlight is abundant throughout the year, incorporating natural light into school design is desirable and essential. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of natural light in schools in India from an architect's perspective, highlighting its benefits, design strategies, and best practices.
Benefits of Natural Light in Schools
Research has consistently shown that natural light positively impacts students’ physical and mental health, academic performance, and behaviour. Some of the key benefits of natural light in schools include:
Improved academic performance: Studies have shown that students who learn in naturally lit classrooms perform better academically than those who learn in artificially lit classrooms. In 1999, a study by the Heschong Mahone Group – a consultancy in the energy efficiency industry – revealed an interesting fact about environment and education: children score better on tests in naturally lit classrooms than those with artificial lighting. The difference between tests taken in an artificially lit environment and those that sat in a naturally lit environment was by no means small. The study revealed a 25% improvement in test scores in naturally lit environments compared with artificially lit classrooms. It is believed that the increased test results were due to improved students’ mood and mental alertness, vision, concentration, and happiness levels.
Enhanced cognitive function: Natural light has been shown to improve cognitive function, including attention, memory, and creativity. Natural light has been shown to reduce eyestrain and headaches, which can be a significant source of discomfort and distraction for students.
Better mental health: Natural light has been linked to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression in students. In addition to improving educational test/grade results, exposure to natural light improves overall health. A 1987-1991 study discovered that students who studied in naturally lit classrooms had a range of health advantages, including better mental health, healthier height and weight for their relevant ages, and lower absentee levels. Interestingly, the same study also revealed that students who studied in artificially lit classrooms had lower educational achievement levels, higher levels of absenteeism and worse mental health due to the lack of daylight exposure.
Improved physical health: Natural light exposure has been shown to boost vitamin D levels, reduce the risk of myopia, and improve overall physical health.
Our Design Strategies for Incorporating Natural Light in Schools
Incorporating natural light into school design requires careful consideration of several factors, including:
Orientation: We carefully design buildings to maximise natural light exposure while minimising heat gain and glare.
Window placement and size: Strategically placing windows to provide adequate natural light while minimising distractions and heat gain. Glare is a massive problem in most classrooms on higher floors or with south and west-facing windows. With intelligent placement of windows and furniture, this can easily be avoided.
Courtyards over corridors: Doubly loaded corridors are often the darkest spaces in a school, and they limit access to views of the outside and light. We eschew long, dingy, doubly loaded corridors in favour of open-to-sky or partially covered courtyards, which improve light, ventilation, and overall aesthetics.
Daylighting: Using daylighting techniques, such as clerestory windows, skylights, and light shelves, to distribute natural light deep into buildings.
Shading devices: Incorporating shading devices, such as overhangs, louvres, and solar screens, to reduce heat gain and glare.
Reflective surfaces: Reflective surfaces, such as white or light-coloured finishes, reflect natural light and reduce the need for artificial lighting.
Best Practices for Implementing Natural Light in Schools
To ensure that natural light is effectively incorporated into school design, we follow these best practices:
Use energy-efficient glazing: Specify energy-efficient glazing materials that minimise heat gain and reduce the need for artificial lighting.
Context-specific heat management: India has many varied topographical environments, each demanding its form of heat management. Through our experience and study, we are well-versed in these techniques and apply them as needed. For example, in the Tejas International School, Bagalkot (temperatures reaching 40 degrees), we brought down the temperature inside the building to 4 degrees below the outside temperature by applying context-specific heat management techniques.
Indian building practices: Incorporate age-old Indian techniques for avoiding heat gain, glare and over-exposure.
Control for overexposure: Monitor and adjust natural light levels and design elements to ensure optimal natural light exposure.
In Conclusion
Incorporating natural light into school design is essential for creating healthy, productive, and sustainable learning environments. By understanding the benefits of natural light, incorporating design strategies, respecting context, and following best practices, we build schools that support student learning outcomes and promote overall well-being and quality of life.
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