in
large, low-rise commercial buildings have been custom designed and
site built, an expensive and labor-intensive process. This design
brief explores the benefits of a better alternative: splayed
modular skylight wells specifically designed for use with suspended
ceilings. These prefabricated systems, which consist of a twopart
light well with a throat and a splay, are a relatively new design
concept. Although they are not yet commercially available, there is
considerable market interest in these systems thanks to their
potential to provide superior lighting quality, increase energy
efficiency, improve occupant comfort, and lower installation costs.
This design brief provides four conceptual examples of
prefabricated skylight well systems. Each of these proposed designs
integrates suspended ceilings and traditional skylight systems to
introduce daylight into commercial spaces with finished ceilings.
As a new concept, splayed modular skylight wells can solve many
issues faced by designers who wish to provide daylight in large,
low-rise buildings. The following key issues need to be addressed
when designing with these systems:
Design to achieve the best light quality for optimal energy
savings while working with conventional building systems,
construction processes, and standards.
With each skylight well component, satisfy minimum performance
goals for illumination, energy use, fire safety, structural
integrity, and assembly sequence.
Treat skylighting design as an iterative process. Refine the
skylighting design as other building systems are designed. The
skylighting design can start with simple assumptions and be
fine-tuned along the way using sophisticated design tools.
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