Daylight on the Skin (lecture only accessible in German)
Paula Longato, M.A. - BURO HAPPOLD GMBH

Daylight is an abundant source of light that is available to everyone during the day: the urban environment determines how much daylight buildings receive - or do not receive - in terms of the amount of daylight and the timing during the day. The densification of cities, as we experience it today, does not contribute to a better distribution and accessibility of daylight, but rather works in the opposite direction. Broadly speaking, access to daylight can be described as "looking at the sky." The more we "see" the sky from an interior perspective, the more daylight we are likely to receive inside.

What is the role of materials in urban environments and interiors when we talk about daylighting? It is extremely important to consider the materials of facades and interiors not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also from the perspective of daylight and illumination. Materials reflect daylight - direct sunlight and diffuse skylight - as well as electric light, sometimes in ways that were not considered in the design phase.

Based on available outdoor daylight and a specific building geometry, we define what daylight enters the interior spaces. However, materials are one of the few steps that can be taken to further enhance the user experience inside a building. From window glazing to ceilings and floors to furniture, all things that inhabit and define a space play a role in how daylight is distributed. This presentation will look at current trends in façade materials and interior design that have an impact on daylight availability and user experience in both urban environments and indoor spaces.

Paula Longato graduated in Architecture and Urban Planning in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2002 and received her Master's degree in Architectural Lighting Design in Wismar, Germany in 2008.

Over the last 15 years she has collaborated on a variety of different lighting design projects that have won various lighting design awards in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. Her designs always take into account architecture, site, environment, cultural background, function and last but not least the needs of the future users. She passionately strives for seamless integration of daylighting and artificial lighting systems into the architecture being designed, and especially considers sustainability aspects and future-proofing in her projects. Since March 2019, Paula Longato has led the lighting team in the Europe region at Planungsbüro Buro Happold. Since January 2022, she has been a member of the board of the Deutsche Lichttechnische Gesellschaft e. V. (LiTG).