More natural light, lower energy consumption, and streamlined costs
… How Glazing Systems Sustainably Brighten Spaces In our projects, the use and integration of light always play a central role. Whether in offices, laboratories, or residential spaces, daylight is a crucial factor in both new construction and renovation projects. And for good reason—flooded with natural light, rooms not only create a pleasant atmosphere and a sense of spaciousness but also significantly impact energy efficiency and indoor climate. Last but not least, light and air have been proven to influence human psychology. In the following, we take a closer look at the key aspects of daylight planning from an architectural perspective and how the right glazing systems can enhance daylight supply in interior spaces.
Anna Stärk
11. March 2025
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Building Orientation and Positioning. The orientation of a building significantly impacts natural light exposure and its intensity. Seasonal variations introduce different challenges: while a south-facing orientation is beneficial in winter, it can cause overheating in summer, making a well-planned shading concept essential. East- and west-facing orientations allow for morning and evening sunlight, ensuring even light distribution, but also require shading solutions to prevent glare—especially in workplaces, where optimal lighting conditions are crucial for employee productivity. A thorough site analysis is necessary to assess factors such as shading from vegetation, neighboring buildings, and seasonal light variations.
Window Size and Placement. The size and positioning of windows greatly influence the amount of daylight entering a space. While larger windows bring in more light, they can also lead to heat loss in winter or excessive heat gain in summer. Swiss building regulations, such as SIA 331, govern planning, execution, and quality, indirectly influencing window size.
Room Depth and Controlled Light Management. In shallow rooms, daylight is evenly distributed, whereas in deeper spaces, light penetration decreases. Solutions such as skylights, light wells, louvers, and glass partitions help guide daylight further inside. Interior courtyards and atriums can also improve daylight distribution, ensuring that even central areas receive sufficient natural light.
Not All Glass Is the Same. The choice of glass affects both the project and window size. Well-insulated windows and solar glass can contribute to energy savings and passive heating, particularly in winter, reducing heating costs over time. While energy-efficient coated glass minimizes heat loss, it can also alter light intensity and color perception, similar to wearing sunglasses.
Louvers, Blinds, and Smart Shading Systems. External blinds, louvers, and facade shading systems help regulate sunlight and minimize glare. Smart control systems with built-in sensors dynamically adjust shading based on light intensity and time of day, enhancing both comfort and energy efficiency. However, when shading is manually operated, user behavior becomes a factor. Many people lack awareness of daylight management and tend to keep blinds closed regardless of the season, reducing the benefits of natural light.
Interior Design for Brighter Spaces. Interior design choices also influence brightness perception. Light-colored and reflective materials enhance daylight distribution, making spaces feel brighter and more inviting, while dark materials absorb light, creating a dimmer atmosphere. Thoughtful placement of reflective surfaces can help redirect and amplify natural light throughout a space.
Daylight & Well-being: A Scientific Perspective. Natural light boosts metabolism, regulates hormones, and positively impacts the immune system, cellular function, respiration, pulse, and body temperature. In 1983, the WHO identified Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), which describes non-specific symptoms caused by prolonged indoor stays, often linked to poor ventilation and insufficient daylight exposure. Whether in offices or homes, access to natural light improves mood, enhances productivity, and supports overall well-being.
Anna Stärk
11. March 2025
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In the heart of the Gotthard massif lies the small village of Andermatt, which despite its striking location remained untouched by tourism for a long time. Thanks to a comprehensive tourism initiative by the major Egyptian-Montenegrin investor and developer Samih Sawiris, this has now changed and Andermatt has become an attractive destination for winter and summer visitors. We were also involved in this project and, as architect and general planner, have been responsible for getting the largest flat block there, Haus YARA, off the ground in recent months. Our guiding principle for this project was to combine tradition and modernity in order to create a harmonious whole between contemporary living and traditional architecture. MINERGIE certification, which was officially awarded the week before last, is also part of the concept.
Efficient, cost-effective and high-quality: our new-build project in Basel/Binningen with prefabricated façade elements. What convinced us... We are currently working on the construction of a new apartment block (MFH) in Basel/Binningen, where we are in the middle of the shell construction and suggested a kind of modular system to the client, more precisely the use of prefabricated façade elements.
We decided to work with ERNE AG Holzbau, which specialises in prefabricated façade systems. Together, we developed a combination of reinforced concrete ceilings with steel columns and non-load-bearing façade elements for our project. The following advantages drove us to pursue this concept:
A key benefit is the time factor: prefabricated façade elements are manufactured in the factory and can then be assembled on site, which significantly reduces the overall construction time. In addition, you are less dependent on favourable weather conditions, as it is more difficult to work in hail, snow or 35 degrees than under weather-independent conditions in the production hall, where the right tools, materials and expertise are always immediately available.
DEEP DIVE – Auseinandersetzung mit Branchen-Themen: Bauindustrie zwischen Politischem Mikromanagement und Europäisierung
Rückblick auf unser Podiumsgespräch im Klybeck Areal am 3. September 2024. Am 3. September 2024 fand im Klybeck Areal ein spannendes Podiumsgespräch statt, das sich mit der Frage beschäftigte, wie die Bauindustrie den Spagat zwischen politischem Mikromanagement und Europäisierung meistern kann. Gastgeberin auf dem Klybeck Areal war Anita Fetz, alt Ständerätin und Verwaltungsrätin der Rhystadt AG. Auf dem Podium waren Hans Peter Wessels, alt Regierungsrat Kanton Basel-Stadt, Gabriela Theus, Geschäftsführerin Immofonds Asset Management AG Zürich sowie Christian W. Blaser, Blaser Architekten Basel. Moderiert wurde das Podium von Manuel Hutter, Verwaltungsrat der Kontur Projektmanagement AG. Anlass für uns, das Gespräch und die Gedanken dieses Abends noch einmal Revue passieren zu lassen...
Architecture and science – two fields that go hand in hand in the Basel region. These aspects are skillfully intertwined on the MAIN CAMPUS of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area in Allschwil. This life sciences and innovation ecosystem, developed over the past few years near the French border on behalf of Senn Resources AG, offers an attractive and highly interconnected home for companies and institutions ranging from startups to multinational corporations...
A large part of our work today is digital and virtual—we design with CAD, enhance plans with BIM data, and visualize projects in 3D. Still, sometimes the tried and true methods prove their worth. Take model making, for example, which continues to play a significant role in architecture. Surprisingly, this might seem counterintuitive given the indispensable tools like 3D renderings and simulations, making physical model making appear almost outdated. However, as in life, the magic often lies in the mix: combining digital and analog methods unlocks unique potential. Why Analog When Everything Is Digital?
Founded in 1993, our office can now look back on a career spanning more than 30 years. 30 years in which we have been able to implement a large number of exciting projects, gain experience and, last but not least, continuously develop ourselves. What has remained the same is the passion for our profession and the unconditional thirst for knowledge and the will to share it, because more than ever we believe that it is not about preserving know-how and experience, but about sharing and passing it on - this is the only way to create mutual exchange, progress and participation. Our company claim “sharing experience” is intended to fulfill this desire and is part of our relaunch, which we implemented on the occasion of our 30th company anniversary...
Workplace Creation at Primeo AG through pioneering building technology with antique building material... Founded over 125 years ago, the Primeo Energie cooperative is headquartered in Münchenstein and reliably supplies over 180,000 households in Switzerland and France with energy. Under the motto ‘We bundle energy’, the infrastructure company focuses on the decarbonisation of the energy supply and offers intelligent, unique solutions in the areas of smart homes, sustainable mobility and energy efficiency. These are aimed at private and business customers as well as energy supply companies, cities and municipalities.
Founded in 2006, the non-profit foundation Architektur Dialoge (AD) aims to raise public awareness about architecture and urban issues while fostering dialogue between the industry and private users. To achieve this, Architektur Dialoge offers a wide range of events on architecture and building culture, inviting the public to learn more through lectures, guided tours, and workshops. One of these offerings is the Making Of series, which provides insights into craftsmanship and architecture. Hosted by Christian W. Blaser, a member of the AD Foundation Board, the series not only highlights completed projects but also tells the stories behind their creation—from the initial idea to their realisation...
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Static and dynamic content editing
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
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How to customize formatting for each rich text
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Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
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What’s a Rich Text element?
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Bevor wir Ihnen YouTube-Videos zeigen können, müssen wir Sie darüber informieren, dass beim Laden der Videos möglicherweise Daten an den Anbieter übermittelt werden. Mit dem Klick auf den Play Button akzeptieren Sie die Erhebung und Verarbeitung dieser Daten gemäß unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
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