Lighting Design in Workplaces: A Case Study of a Modern Library Building in Sheffield, UK

Dr Hasim Altan

The University of Sheffield, School of Architecture, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Hasim Altan
BEAU Research Centre, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Yuan Zhang
BEAU Research Centre, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

ABSTRACT
 Using natural light has always been a desirable building feature and a hallmark of a good design. With a considerable design, daylight creates an ambience of well being and visual comfort. Daylighting design has recently taken up a role among the whole design
process, beyond the aesthetic and psychological aspects, with the sustainability and the energy efficiency. The alternative to daylighting is to use artificial lighting in workplaces in buildings;however there is a significant amount of energy use when compared with the consumption levels in residential buildings. The paper focuses on a recently completed modern library building in Sheffield, UK and examines its open plan offices in connection with lighting design
in workplaces. Effective use of daylight in such a modern library design is both an art and a science. The aim of this study is to present the principle concepts of lighting design used for the
workplaces and a case study to demonstrate if a modern library building is fulfilling some of the lighting design guidelines, and to discuss the findings of the preliminary lighting analysis.