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Mental Health
▲ Despite being surrounded by high-rise buildings , Solatube TDDs deliver sunlight deep into The Emery Hotel , enhancing the guest experience and employee well-being .
Instead , the design team installed 14 Solatube SkyVault TDDs to capture and
transfer abundant daylight deep into the historic bank lobby , even on cloudy days despite the surrounding buildings . TDDs capture the daylight ( whether from the sun and / or sky ) from all angles through an optical dome mounted on the roof . The daylight is then transferred downward through reflective tubing and evenly distributed throughout the space using optical diffusers . Additionally , the design team equipped the TDDs with Solatube SkyVault Collector and Amplifier extensions to enhance daylight delivery , ensure consistent light levels and support plant growth .
The retrofit resulted in a lush , inviting and naturally lit space that preserved the bank ’ s historic elements while offering a unique environment for guests . When hotel guests and employees walk through the door , they feel as if they have been teleported to a tropical oasis , forgetting they are in the heart of downtown Minneapolis .
Conclusion
The positive impact of natural daylight on mental health is undeniable . It boosts mood ,
enhances cognitive function , improves sleep patterns and helps to reduce stress , making it a powerful tool that combats many mental health challenges in our fast-paced , indoorcentric world . When working on your next commercial project , whether it is a facility modernization or a clean-sheet-of-paper new design , consider making daylight the primary source of interior illumination for daytime hours ! When properly done , the effective use of daylight will result in a facility that maximizes health and well-being . ■
For a list of the sources used in this article , please contact the editor .
Neall Digert www . kingspanlightandair . us
Neall Digert , Ph . D ., MIES , is Vice President , Innovation and Market Development , at Kingspan Light + Air North America . Kingspan Light + Air is a business division of Kingspan Group PLC , the global leader in advanced insulation and building envelope solutions . The North American division of Kingspan Light + Air was established in 2016 to expand Kingspan ’ s vision of providing truly holistic building envelope solutions .
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