This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.
  1. Light
  2. Daylight modelling

Daylight modelling

Features>Light>62. Daylight modelling

62. Daylight modelling

Exposure to appropriate amounts of natural light provides a connection to nature that reinforces circadian rhythms and reduces dependence on electricity for artificial lighting. Buildings can be designed to ensure that people who spend the majority of their time indoors still have access to daylight.

This feature requires that individuals inside a building receive ample exposure to natural sunlight.

Part 1: Healthy Sunlight Exposure

Lighting simulations demonstrate that the following conditions are expected:

a) Spatial daylight autonomy (sDA300,50%) is achieved for at least 55% of regularly occupied space. In other words, at least 55% of the space receives at least 300 lux [28 fc] of sunlight for at least 50% of operating hours each year.
b) Annual sunlight exposure (ASE1000,250) is achieved for no more than 10% of regularly occupied space. In other words, no more than 10% of the area can receive more than 1000 lux [93 fc] for 250 hours each year.
Part 2: Healing Sunlight Exposure

Lighting simulations demonstrate that the following conditions are true:

a) Spatial daylight autonomy (sDA300,50%) is achieved for at least 75% of perimeter floor area.
b) Annual sunlight exposure (aSE1000,250) is achieved for no more than 10% of perimeter floor area.

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New Construction WELL Interiors
Part 1: Healthy Sunlight Exposure O O O
Part 2: Healing Sunlight Exposure - - -
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Retail
Part 1: Healthy Sunlight Exposure - - O O
Part 2: Healing Sunlight Exposure - - - -

1

U.S. Green Building Council. LEED v4: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction. Washington D.C.: U.S. Green Building Council; 2013: 37, 43-44, 542-43, 545, 541-552, 567, 605, 623, 645-53, 658-61, 682, 685-6, 723-4.
62.1.a

LEED v4 Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Daylight, Option 1 requires that at least 55% of space receives at least 300 lux of sunlight for an award of 2 points.
62.1.b

LEED v4 Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Daylight, Option 1 requires that annual sunlight exposure ASE(1000,250) is achieved for no more than 10% of regularly occupied space.
Features>Light>62. Daylight modelling