Design open floor plans to maximize daylight
Floor plans that take advantage of natural light make houses cheerful and save energy.
Designing an open floor plan with a minimal number of full-height interior walls will allow natural light to penetrate deep into the house. Natural light has been shown to increase the health and productivity of the occupants, and less electricity will be used for supplemental lighting. Open floor plans limit privacy. As an alternative, provide windows, openings, or transoms in rooms along exterior walls so “borrowed” light can reach interior spaces.
Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia
