Products
Inspiration
Professionals
- Architects' Suite
- Builders' Suite
Contact Us
- Write Us
Book a call
Price list
Design a Rooflight

Products
Inspiration
Professionals
- Architects' Suite
- Builders' Suite
Contact Us
- Write Us
Book a call
Price list
Design a Rooflight
{{checkoutApi.basketCount}}

Basket

{{ product.Name }}
{{ product.Quantity}} x {{product.Price | currency: undefined : model.DigitsNumber}} = {{product.Price * product.Quantity | currency: undefined : model.DigitsNumber}}

Subtotal (Ex VAT) {{cart.SubTotalPrice | currency: undefined : model.DigitsNumber}}

{{cart.DeliveryText}} {{cart.DeliveryFee | currency: undefined : model.DigitsNumber}}

Discount {{cart.Discount * -1 | currency: undefined : model.DigitsNumber}}

Total {{cart.TotalPrice | currency: undefined : model.DigitsNumber}}

of which VAT is {{cart.PriceVat | currency: undefined : model.DigitsNumber}}

Go to Basket

Aspect & Orientation

North, East, South, West

“Change in light is a fundamental constant by which the human body maintains its relationship with the environment.” – Alexander et al, A Pattern Language, 1977

In the following animations, you will be able to visualise how the position of the sun interacts with the orientation of the building. You will see how cardinal directions (N, S, E, W) can influence the ways in which buildings receive daylight and learn how to harness the various effects that can occur in these differing contexts.

North facing

North facing buildings

North facing buildings typically produce darker rooms that need as much help as possible to bring daylight in
They receive a greyish, dispersed and gaseous light at most times of the day and create balanced, ambient atmospheres

North facing

North facing buildings

Rooflights are important in north facing buildings, especially with rooms that only have windows on one side. A new direction of sunlight can remove light/dark contrasts.

East facing

East facing buildings

East facing buildings receive direct sunlight in the morning, but designers should be aware of building context, as the low position of the sun can be blocked by surrounding walls, vegetation or buildings
Light from the east produces soft, long shadows which are grey-yellow in colour

East facing

East facing buildings

Rooflights would be suitable for kitchen/breakfast areas in east facing buildings so occupants can benefit from the morning sun
“A social group in a pool of light enhances their definition and cohesiveness…” –– Alexander et al, A Pattern Language, 1977

South facing

South facing buildings

South facing building interiors are usually consistently bright
They receive direct sunlight between mid-morning and mid-afternoon
Rooms are highly illuminated and feature sharp patterns of light and dark on surfaces

South facing

South facing buildings

South facing buildings increase the likelihood of glare if shading devices aren’t present
Designers should consider how they can harness the light intensity. Will you disperse it or focus it?
Daylight from above has the power to reduce glare because of the direction light lands on the iris

West facing

West facing buildings

West facing buildings receive direct sunlight in the late afternoon, but designers should be aware of building context, as the low position of the sun can be blocked by surrounding walls, vegetation or buildings
Light from the west produces rich orange colours which are capable of penetrating deep into a building’s interior

West facing

West facing buildings

Roof windows would be ideal in the communal/living areas of west facing buildings to provide occupants with a relaxing atmosphere when they return home from work
Designers may consider how they could highlight features or wall textures with the late afternoon sun
Light from east gives designers the opportunity to enliven the colours of a room

Design with daylight

Back To The Architects' Suite

Positioning

Size & Shape