Daylighting is a powerful design element which can have a dramatic impact on people's perception of space, physical and psychological well-being as well as a building's annual and daily energy requirements. Understanding of the way daylight can penetrate a space , dramatize materials, create shadows and patterns, and is reflected and diffused gives an appreciation for light energy as a natural force. Historic precedents, and the response of contemporary architecture to the problems and possibilities of daylighting demonstrate the changes in values, and attitudes about the role of natural light and ventilation as they have been constructed in the landscape over a period of centuries. Three areas are investigated in considering the role of natural daylighting in the context of adaptive reuse. One is the historical evolution of atriums, their use as climate conditioners, as building form generators and as receptors of daylight. The second area is a qualitative and quantitative study of daylight. Topics explored are glazing location, diffusion and reflection elements, and psychological effects, impact on annual energy consumption and physical modeling. The third area of study is the development of a generic atrium piece which is the principal form and organizational generator of a design proposal for the reuse of a typical early 20th century warehouse building.
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