The Daylight Benefit Conferred Upon Adjoining Rooms by Specular Surfaces in Top-Lit Atria

Physical models of multi-storey buildings with atria were used to examine the effect of different types and arrangements of specular surfaces upon daylight benefits in adjacent rooms. The selective use of specular surfaces within atria was found to increase daylight illuminance. The testing results indicated there is no need to add specular surfaces to the atrium parapet walls at every floor level; adding such surfaces to the top level alone confers better improvement in daylighting performance.