The centre was opened in 1996 and was designed by the City Council’s architects

Measurements

- Date: 15/2/01 Time: 11: 00 - 14:00

- Weather: Overcast with some sun later on.

- Daylight Factors in the hall were measured between 1.8 to 2.3.

- Average daylight illuminance: 212 lux.

- Average fully lit illuminance: 445 lux.

Lighting

The central rooflight provides a reasonable level of daylight into the hall, as it is not shaded. Sunlight is not supposed to reach the players as it is blocked by the geometry of the rooflight and roof shape. However, during late afternoons in winter and lunchtime in the summer, players have complained about the sunlight.

The light levels in the hall are acceptable for recreational and club use for all the sports. However, daylight levels are too low (without

any artificial lights) for most activities, although less critical ones could function with reduced use of artificial lighting.

Details:

- Length - 34.1 m, Width - 32 m, Height - 7 to 8.75 m.

- Window orientation is southeast to northwest, length ways.

- Orientated with the width facing southeast/northwest.

- Steel frame with profiled sheet metal cladding to roof and walls.

- Internal walls have MDF lining for rebound panels, painted turquoise, up to 4 m above floor level and white steel sheet and plasterboard above.

- Ceiling is white painted profiled sheet, with white trusses and unpainted galvanized purlins.

- A light coloured beech Junckers floor.

- Duopitch ridge rooflight runs the length of the hall at the roof apex.

- A small area of glazing is located below the end of the rooflight.

- The rooflight is a patent aluminium, double-glazed system, with dark blue frames and a solar control tint.

- Rooflight 3m high and 4.5m wide.

Glare and Occupant Satisfaction

Users and staff are generally satisfied with the hall. A few complaints are received about the sun access.

Sky light coming through the rooflight is glare free, due to the solar control tint in the glazing; reducing the brightness of the sky. Direct sunlight is the only cause for concern where it reflects off the roof trusses and shines through onto the wall. Any glare problems that are evident, on direct viewing of the glazing, might be due to the fact that the glazing bars are dark blue, rather than white. The dark blue contrasts with the bright sky.

Rooflights along the edges of the hall would help to make the daylight levels more uniform and brighter. Normal operation of the hall, at present, means that the artificial lights are on all day, which themselves are glare free due to their relationship with the badminton courts and the louvres in the luminaires. Ceiling brightness could be improved by having a degree of uplighting from the backs of the luminaires.

Costs

Life-cycle costs and cost in use were not considered for this hall. No external daylighting guidance was used for the costing of the hall, the architects had specified the glazing system previously and were building on this experience.

Forth Sports and Community Centre, South Lanarkshire

This facility, in Forth village in South lanarkshire, was opened in October 1999, and was designed by South Lanarkshire Council.

Measurements

- Date: 14/2/01 Time: 10: 30 - 12:30

- Weather: Clear blue skies, hence daylight factors could not be calculated.

- Average daylight illuminance (sunshine outside): 150 lux.

- Average combined illuminance (75% lighting): 350 lux.

- Average fully lit illuminance: 390 lux.

- Sample sunpatch illuminance: 4300 lux.

Lighting

The daylighting from the clerestories is from unshaded, transparent windows. This has resulted in glare complaints from the users. The one metre overhang of the roof does not stop the low level sun from entering the hall.

The readings across the hall vary widely due to the sunny conditions outside. On an overcast day the readings would be more uniform, due to the 360 degree clerestories and the regular spacing of the luminaires. Despite the very bright conditions outside, the daylight illuminance in the hall is poor. Most activities in the hall are recreational level and so the average level of 350 lux over the whole hall is acceptable, using two thirds of the artificial lighting capacity. This is the normal lighting level for the hall, with the full lighting capacity rarely being used.

Occupant Satisfaction

The sunlight was the main source of occupant complaints, exaggerated by the direct sunlight beaming in at certain points in the hall - causing disability and discomfort glare. The artificial lights were always on as it was too gloomy without them.