The field of architectural lighting is broad and encompasses many separate elements such as interior design, architecture, electrical engineering, and the proficient use of natural daylight. The knowledge and correct application of these fields, allows for the creation of interior spaces that are shaped from light. Danpal has a term for this, we call it ‘Light Architecture’, and it is our core driving force. Natural daylight not only plays a role in architectural lighting, we believe that it should also be the foundation of best practice within lighting design.
Introduction of Natural Daylight
We think best practice, due to the positive effects that result from the introduction of natural daylight to your building project. It is a documented fact that natural daylight has a measured positive effect on both the emotional and physical health of the inhabitants of the space. Research from case studies has also gone so far as to state, that without sufficient exposure to natural daylight each day, individuals suffer from poor sleep quality and are less active. The conclusion of these studies is that office workspaces and other daily interior environments should heavily promote the introduction of natural light, and in so doing, promote the health and well-being of the occupants.
Too often designers have turned to expensive artificial lighting systems when considering the building’s architectural lighting needs. Over the last +30 years, Danpal has developed advanced building envelope systems based on the integration of our translucent multicell Danpalon panel. Selecting a Danpal façade, roofing or skylight system for use in your building project, will result in the introduction of more natural daylight to the structure’s interior. Our solutions not only allow for a substantial increase in natural light, but are also designed with performance in mind. Our systems have been purpose built and designed to limit unwanted heat gain and to minimise the rapid heat loss associated with other glazing materials.
Modulate Light Transmission and Take Control of the Architectural Lighting
Danpal gives the architectural team the ability to modulate light transmission and take control of the architectural lighting for each project. Our Danpalon multicell panel has been designed to offer excellent thermal performance by mitigating the effects of heat transfer through the panel, by use of microcell insulating channels. These channels slow down the movement of heat and in so doing, assist in modulating the temperature of the building’s interior spaces. Typical glazing systems such as glass curtain walls, have to rely on double or triple glazing in order to replicate this type of performance. This can result in sky-high costings that blow the budget and framework systems which add a hefty amount of unnecessary weight to the building’s façade.
Seeking balance in architectural lighting means that equal consideration must be given to not only the amount of light but to the quality of light introduced. To create a HQE (High Quality Environment) the light allowed into the interior space should be homogenous and without hotspots. Our Danpalon panel-based systems transmit natural daylight in a diffuse manner, which assists in creating a harmonious interior space. Our Softlite co-extrusion finish completely diminishes glare and can be considered to be a key factor in shaping a HQE interior space.
Building projects which need to promote learning and concentration, such as schools, universities, and libraries in particular benefit greatly from the use of natural daylight. This fact should to be taken into consideration when designing an architectural lighting solution. Again, studies on the effects of the impact of natural light on learning and cognition have demonstrated a strong correlation between improved performance and exposure to natural light. It is no wonder then that Danpal has continually sought to improve the performance of its purpose built building envelope systems by introducing more advanced Danpalon panel based solutions.
Danpal’s Controlite system offers the world of architectural lighting a unique and powerful tool to modulate daylight entering the interior space. The system achieves this by automatically adjusting itself to match preprogramed LUX levels set for the interior. The Controlite system can be installed as either roofing, skylight or façade solution. We call this an intelligent daylight system, which has been used to great success around the world. Having access to such new and innovative daylighting technology, allows architectural teams to design for interior spaces without the constraints of old. Danpal remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible through our research and development into Light Architecture. We believe in an integrated and holistic approach to architectural lighting, which is why Danpal has taken the lead in bringing the industry the best qualities daylight has to offer.