BRE IP23/12 PDF

INTRO DUCTION

Daylight makes an interior look more attractive and interesting, as well as providing light to work or read by. However, access to natural light depends on the design of the external environment. Large obstructing buildings may make adequate interior daylighting impossible.

BRE Report BR 209, Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight: a guide to good practice[1], deals with this issue. It has recently been completely revised to include additional guidance on dense urban environments and issues such as the effects of trees and balconies, and to tie in with other documents including the British Standard Code of Practice for Daylighting[3], which has also recently been revised.

The guidance outlined here is not mandatory. Although guidelines are given, they may be varied according to the needs of the development and its context. Natural lighting is only one of many factors in site layout design. Appendix F of BR 209[1] gives further guidance on this issue. The guidelines may be used for dwellings and any non-domestic buildings where daylight is required.