Understanding daylighting of sports halls

Summary The design issues are complex, even when the building form is not. Optimising natural daylight and integrating it with well designed electric light requires that the form, fabric, internal layout and systems of a building are considered holistically. Problems are real, including glare, overheating and local cooling. Variation in light quality and quantity can be unmanageable and fenestration can lead to unwelcome distractions. Care is required to ensure that inappropriate natural lighting and/or poor control does not give rise to thermal discomfort, which might increase the need for compensatory heating or cooling, or to visual discomfort or impediment.