23rd August 2011
Natural light is a very important factor both biologically, economically and emotionally. Whether it is a
work place, a
Garden Room or a
home, natural light has been proven to make people feel
happier, less negative towards people/work and more
productive.
In the human body, our sleep-wake cycles are dictated by circadian rhythms which in turn are controlled by a chemical called melatonin. The production of this compound depends on the time of the day in particular the amount of natural light available. Melatonin often referred to as ‘the hormone of darkness’ has been proven to make people feel more energised and comfortable, giving employee satisfaction and higher productivity in the work place. As a result of these findings, we often find ourselves subconsciously seeking out and enjoying bright and well-lit places.
Exposure to natural light is also a very
practical and
cost-effective solution to lighting at home or within a work-place such as a
Garden Office. In a typical building it has been found then on average lighting accounts for
25-40% of energy consumption, therefore allowing more natural light into the room can
reduce monthly energy bills.
As a result of this, we have incorporated various features into the design of our
garden rooms to maximise the amount of natural light entering the space this making for a healthy and energetic environment:
Bi-fold doors
We have designed the studio so that the entranced into the
garden rooms are not your typical single opening doors. Instead, through the use of a bi-folding door arrangement, the whole elevation of the garden studio can be folded to the side to allow the internal and external spaces to mix. As
aesthetics play a crucial role within our studios, the bi-folding doors are designed to
fold back against the Accoya surround and neatly tuck under the cantilever roof section, giving the doors a hidden appearance when opened.
Floor-to-ceiling windows
Our floor to ceiling windows allow for sufficient light to enter the garden room whilst providing a great aesthetic. Doubled glazed, argon filled panes are used as standard within our
garden rooms offering
high insulation properties to provide comfort in the winter as well as in the summer.
Velux roof windows.
We use a range of flat roof window solutions by Velux. These expertly designed products can be electronically controlled via a hand-held remote control allowing blinds to open and close, daylight to enter and fresh air to circulate. With built-in rain sensors, they are excellent for keeping the weather out.