A new daylight standard? Off the table with it. So responds architect Jaap van den Bosch in a letter to the article 'In the shadow of a new daylight standard'.
Good day,
Well, that daylight factor does keep people busy. If I think about it carefully and read what that standard will look like in the base, I can Mr. Esveld (in the article New daylight standard up for discussion - red) only agree. Off the table with it!
I have worked with the existing NEN 2057 standard for several years. Actually, I have never heard from residents that they thought the house was too dark. So this topic is not all that "hot".
And then the logic. In my opinion, the story that more light is good for health is nonsense. Because suppose an apartment building is built, with a section with a right-angled internal angle. Then that obstruction of that internal right angle should be included in the calculation entirely, as it is now.
But suppose you have a different situation: now two apartment buildings are being built, also with such a right angle, which are not built on the same building plot and therefore have no connection to each other. Then suddenly those barriers don't apply.
In the current Building Works Decree, you calculate with a standard obstruction angle, in the daylight factor according to the new requirements no longer. The bottom line is, with an adjacent building located on a different lot, the daylight from that building could be a lot less. Now call that logical.
Finally, more daylight in combination with low-energy building (BENG) does not seem convenient. Bigger windows lead to more insulation loss, and thus more energy consumption. You shouldn't want that. Too little daylight in the bedroom? That's for sleeping. Curtains hang there for a reason.
If you look around, you'll see that buildings make plenty of use of blinds, roller blinds, shutters and other decorative interventions designed to keep out daylight. If it's so dark anyway, do something about it.
Outgoing Minister Mona Keijzer seems to want to get rid of the new daylight standard. From me she may, I applaud that. Although it remains to be seen what a new cabinet will do. Oh well. It keeps you busy.
Sincerely,
Jaap van den Bosch
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