What role does daylighting play in architectural design and name two strategies to improve it.

• A. Daylighting reduces energy use and improves occupant comfort by bringing natural light deeper into spaces; strategies include clerestory windows and light shelves.
• B. Daylighting increases energy use and reduces occupant comfort.
• C. Daylighting has no impact on energy consumption and only affects aesthetics.
• D. Daylighting is primarily about exterior appearance and does not influence interior lighting.

Answer: (A)

Daylighting uses natural light to illuminate interiors, reducing the need for artificial lighting and boosting occupant comfort and productivity. Bringing daylight deeper into spaces helps cut energy use while also improving visual quality, reducing glare with thoughtful design, and supporting a healthier perception of space. Clerestory windows place glazing high on a wall or roof, letting light enter from above and penetrate further into the room without sacrificing wall space or creating harsh glare. Light shelves reflect sunlight off the ceiling and into the interior, distributing illumination more evenly and increasing depth of daylight while helping control glare on work surfaces. These two strategies illustrate how daylighting enhances energy efficiency and visual comfort, which is why they’re the best-match answer.