DESIGN IDEAS

The Value of Daylight Control in Office Spaces

Standing desks, acoustic design, and proper lighting are the top considerations for creating a comfortable workspace and enhancing the employee experience. The other top perks include bringing your dog to work day, fitness centers, and onsite cafeterias. 

You would think fitness and dogs would outrank every other benefit, right? Surprisingly, a study in the Harvard Business Review found that access to natural light and a view of the outside was the number one attribute employees look for. 

Why?

Humans evolved under the natural light of the sun. The production of hormones, neurotransmitters, and vitamins depends on this light. The cyclical nature of sunlight and darkness ensures enhanced energy during the day and restful sleep at night, significantly affecting health and well-being. 

In office spaces, the sun’s glare causes disruption, making it difficult to see computer screens and increasing solar heat. 

That’s where today’s smart shades for office buildings come in. Here, we’ll explore the benefits they bring to the overall experience in Scottsdale, AZ. 

SEE ALSO: Office Building Thermal Management

Employees’ Health

When Professor Dr. Alan Hedge of Cornell University studied the effects of natural light on employees, he found that offices with optimized natural light improved the health and well-being of those present. His research found that over 60% reported fewer headaches, 56% said they were less tired, and 51% reported a drop in eyestrain.

Optimizing Natural Daylight

So, how does an office building optimize natural daylight while shielding glare from computer screens and reducing heat? Does one person traverse the many rooms and floors, adjusting window coverings throughout the day? 

Or do they let smart shades do it for them?

At Scottsdale Shade & Light, we partner with Lutron, the global leader in lighting control. As Lutron’s President, Ed Blair, said, “If you want to be the number one lighting control company in the world, you have to control the number one light source in the world—the sun.” 

These intelligent shades allow a continuous connection to the outdoors while increasing comfort.

Saving Energy & Reducing Costs

Lutron’s window coverings integrate with lighting systems, enabling the ideal illumination. When the shades rise, letting in diffuse natural light, the electric lights dim. The lights and shades work in synchronicity, resulting in a healthier work environment and reduced costs. 

The technology behind this effortless control of daylight is Lutron’s Hyperion solar-adaptive shading software. It prompts the shades to adjust based on the sun’s changing position, reducing glare and heat gain while considering the façade orientation and location.

Daylight becomes a primary light source, saving energy while reducing glare.

The Ideal Aesthetics

With hundreds of fabrics in limitless colors and different opacities, these window coverings are designed to elevate your company’s appearance. Sheer fabrics offer elegance and a continuing view of the outside world, while blackout shades provide the best viewing in rooms utilized for AV presentations and video conferencing. 

Different fabrics also support varying environments, from reducing glare to protecting against UV rays and preserving the view. 

Are you ready to transform your office space through the power of light? To learn more about shades for your office building or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Scottsdale Shade & Light today.