Entrances that make an impact | Major Industries Inc.

First impressions are important, and the same holds true for building entrances.

Whether you’re welcoming potential customers, trying to calm worried patients, or hosting teachers and students, their initial interaction with the space can set the overall mood and tenor of their experience.

As numerous studies have shown, natural light can improve moods, increase sales in retail settings, and, more generally, make people feel more relaxed and comfortable.

Creating a welcoming entrance by adding side lighting and/or skylights is a great way to establish a positive initial experience. In some situations, however, you run the risk of adding too much uncontrolled light to a space, making it uncomfortable for front desk workers as well as those in waiting room areas located near the entryway.

Bright glare from direct sunlight, along with increased solar heat gain, can negate many of the positive effects of daylighting quite quickly.

One way to make the best use of natural light is through the utilization of mixed glazed systems – as seen in the image above. In this example, the translucent panels at the top of the system diffuse the sun’s direct rays and help illuminate the space, while the glass glazing below allows for unfettered views.

This way, building staff can see guests as they come into the space, and those guests can easily see out to the parking lot as they await pick-up or try to anticipate weather conditions or other potential issues – all while reaping the benefits of soft, diffuse natural light.

No matter what the building’s use, daylighting can be a great asset to entrances and entryways.