Pattern 11: Toplighting

Daylight design using toplighting provides an opportunity to provide illumination in a potent and uniform manner throughout the year and minimizes the concerns related to blind type and patterns of use. In a sense, the perimeter windows can be included simply for views to the exterior while the work of daylighting the classroom is delivered by the overhead skylights.

When designing toplighting for classrooms, it is important to consider the size and placement of the apertures, their proximity to adjacent reflective surfaces, line of sight to the apertures, and ceiling height. This pattern examines all of these variables in detail.

The case study example is the Mt. Angel Abbey Theological Studies building near Portland, OR designed by SRG Partnership. The as designed condition represented in Pattern step x.24, (and similar pattern steps) is attributed to the Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory at the University of Oregon in addition to SRG Partnership. This pattern sequence highlights simulations under sunny sky conditions during September at noon with workplane illumination data represented in lux.

Typical classroom lighting criteria range from 300- 500 lux and 300 lux was selected as one of the daylighting design criteria examined. The percentage of floor area above this value is presented for each design option.