![]() The main advantage of any natural-lighting system is a reduced dependence on artificial light, leading to various operational cost savings. (Photos by Greg Richardson, Courtesy Maclennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects) Click here to see more NIGHT LIGHTS Translucent panels on the exterior of the Queen’s Place Emera Community Centre in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, let in light during the day and turn the facility into a glowing beacon at night. ![]() "Designers should be checking to make sure they're getting the right light levels needed for the facility." "A useful tool out there now is daylight simulations," Keller says. Thirty foot-candles will do for general ambient light, says Keller, but competition spaces or practice facilities that must accommodate video recording require much more. It depends on your intentions for the building and the amount of daylight you want to bring in." "You can tune the directional exposure or treat the skin to get more or less transmittance. "Often we use these translucent systems as high, monitor light," says Allen. Translucent systems diffuse the incoming light, eliminating the need for shade systems, but consideration still must be given to how much light is needed in a space to be functional, and how to best achieve those lighting levels. Yes, you've met your light-level requirements, but you're not really dealing with user behavior." Many times buildings are glazed with a lot of glass, and when the sun comes out, the shades go down and stay down. "The intent is that people aren't getting LEED credit for spaces that aren't usable for daylighting. "A new metric to the latest version of LEED is annual sun exposure," she says. Keller, also a member of the Illuminating and Engineering Society who sits on its daylighting-metrics committee, says that updated LEED standards are also contributing to the increased appeal of translucent systems. "It looks the same in a lot of ways, but it's gotten stronger and more rugged, it's handling better spans, weather and use, it's more energy-efficient and light-transfusing, and it's also very lightweight," says vice president of international sales Amy Keller, referring to the latest generation of Kalwall. Translucent systems have been around for years, but advances in technology and design have increased product performance and design possibilities. The most recognizable name in translucent paneling may be Kalwall, but translucent systems are available from many manufacturers and come in a variety of materials, most commonly either fiberglass- or polycarbonate-based.
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