BRAKI PROJEKTOWE - Polska Izba Inżynierów Budownictwa

język angielskiKeep up to date and bring natural lightinto your home right nowIn today’s world, in which carbon dioxide emissions, global warmingas well as constantly rising energy costs are ever increasing problems,the use of natural resources seems to be a priority. One of the centralaspects of sustainable design is making the most of natural light.Contemporary architects are introducing innovative, advanceddaylighting strategies and systems that help not only to save energybut also to ensure a comfortable and healthy living space.DAYLIGHTING SYSTEMSThe appropriate placing and sizingof windows is the most fundamentalway to bring natural light into yourhome. At a rough estimate, the ratioof window to floor area should be atleast 1 to 8. Of course, what determinesthe amount and distributionof daylight entering a room is alsothe window design itself – its shape,type of glazing or frames. For instance,large panoramic windows or Frenchwindows give much more naturallight than those with muntins.Through roof windows there areabout 20% more light coming in thanthrough windows in vertical walls.However, one must remember thatthe complex geometry of some innovativebuilding designs may requirethe use of more advanced daylightingsystems, including clerestories,skylights or bi-folding doors. All ofthem bring natural light preciselywhere it is needed as well as diffuseit optimally. Skylights may additionallyprovide good natural ventilation,smoke extraction in case of fireand access to the roof.SIMPLE TECHNIQUES TO MAKE YOURHOME MORE AIRYTo take full advantage of daylightsometimes requires costly renovations.Nevertheless, implementinga few simple, quick and inexpensivetechniques may increase the amountof natural lighting in your home toa greater or lesser extent. They involve,for example:■ Painting walls and ceilings in lightcolour;■ Hanging window treatments madeof transparent or semi-transparentfabrics (i.e. lace, light cotton, gauze);■ Avoiding wood blinds that blocklight;■ Using low-level shelving;■ Hanging mirrors in a well-lit room;■ Making the most of southern exposure– south-facing windows aregreat sources for light year round.THE BENEFITS OF NATURAL LIGHTINGProbably no one doubts that daylightis by far the best light source. Aboveall, it is available for free every day.Even if you must bear the cost ofadapting your home for daylighting,it is still very economical solution. Forexample, installing a skylight will payitself back after 4 to 6 years, mainlyby saving on energy costs for artificiallighting. Furthermore, using daylighthas a positive impact on the environmentsince it neither require electricitygeneration nor produce greenhousegases emissions. Finally, natural lightmake our living environment light,spacious and pleasant, thereby conduciveto work or relaxation. It mayalso increase our productivity andcontribute to our well-being.Tłumaczenie na str. 66© XtravaganT - Fotolia.comMagdalena MarcinkowskaGLOSSARY:to keep up to date – być na czasienatural resources (also renewableresources) – bogactwa naturalne,odnawialne źródła energiito make the most of sth – maksymalniewykorzystać coś/wykorzystaćcoś w pełnidaylighting – naturalne oświetlenie/oświetlenie światłem dziennymat a rough estimate – w przybliżeniu,szacunkowoglazing – szklenieFrench window – okno balkonowemuntin – szpros, szczeblinaroof window – okno połacioweclerestory – klerestorium (rządokien poddachowych)skylight – świetlik dachowybi-folding doors – drzwi harmonijkoweairy – przestronny i widnyto a greater or lesser extent– w większym lub mniejszymstopniutransparent – przezroczystywood blinds – drewniane żaluzjewell-lit – dobrze oświetlony(a house with) a southernexposure – (dom z) ekspozycjąpołudniowąsouth-facing – zwrócony na południe(house), południowy (room,window)by far the best – zdecydowanienajlepszyto bear the cost of – ponosićkosztyto pay itself back – zwracać sięartificial lighting – sztuczneoświetlenielight – jasny, widnyspacious – przestronnyconducive to sth – sprzyjającyczemuśpaździernik 12 [99]29