In the realm of architecture, the artful use of "daylighting" requires imagi-
native and resourceful design capabilities, well demonstrated by Aalto,
Kahn, and Le Corbusier.

Aalto, Kahn, and LeCorbusier

As an energy-efficiency strategy,daylighting plays a more utilitarian role
by offsetting electric lighting with daylight.

Daylighting can be a sustainableand naturalapproachto energy efficiency
and, when done well, can yield reliable and substantialreductionsin both
electricity consumptionand peak demandthroughout the perimeter zone
of commercial buildings with the use of lighting controls and the careful
specification of the window system.Economic benefits can be obtained
such as reduced energy bills and lower capital or first costs due to reduc-
tions in space conditioning capacity. Other non-economic benefits can be
attained such as greater occupant visual and thermal comfort (with pos-
sible productivity benefits), or greater design freedom to specify a larger
window area.