Construction Today - Vol 21 Issue 5 | Page 19

__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mental Health
▼ To control the diffusion of daylight , meet energy requirements and accommodate the fire station ’ s many uses , Kingspan Light + Air ’ s UniQuad ® translucent wall panel system was installed around the facility ’ s perimeter .
▲ When employees are fulfilled in their workplace , they are more engaged , productive , and happier . However , more than a third feel they don ’ t get enough natural daylight in their workspace .
▲ Kingspan Light + Air ’ s GridSpan™ translucent panel skylights diffuse daylight throughout the facility , overcoming perimeter challenges and preserving the structural integrity of the centuryold building . their office , and 43 percent report feeling gloomy because of the lack of daylight . The same poll found that 70 percent of people reported that access to natural daylight improved their work performance .
Additionally , a study by Cornell University found that natural daylight has been shown to decrease eye strain by 51 percent , drowsiness by 56 percent and headaches by 63 percent . Daylight even helped maintain optimal levels of alertness and focus , reducing the need for artificial stimulants like caffeine .
Case Study : Click Rain and Lemonly Headquarters
A compelling example of the transformative power of daylight in the workplace is the Click Rain and Lemonly headquarters in Sioux Falls , S . D . Originally a neglected spark plug factory built in 1919 , the building was retrofitted into a modern workspace with a focus on daylighting design . This included uncovering the building ’ s hallmark sawtooth structure , which had been concealed beneath a lay-in ceiling and incorporating Kingspan Light + Air ’ s GridSpan™ translucent panel skylights . The skylights ensured abundant natural daylight throughout the large building , effectively overcoming the challenge posed by perimeter offices and meeting rooms that would otherwise block light from reaching the interior , open office space . Additionally , the translucent panels minimized glare and the potential for problematic shifting patterns of sunlight , resulting in a comfortable and visually pleasing environment for all occupants .
Case Study : Independent School District 544
These benefits are equally significant in educational environments where students spend a considerable amount of time during the most formative period of a person ’ s life . In fact , a study conducted by The Heschong Mahone Group found that students in
construction-today . com 19