BIK – daylight solutions; domelights, continuous rooflights, glass roofs and solar tubes, continuous rooflight

BIK’s vision

In this section, you can read more about BIK’s vision on various aspects related to daylight and the environment. If you would like to know how BIK has incorporated this vision into its business operations, see the topics sustainability and certificates.

Use the oldest energy source
	The healing effect of sunlight on people was recognised by the ancient Greeks. Yet through industrialisation, the use of this free energy source seems to have receded into the background. The number of people who spent the majority of their day indoors is increasing. And although the Dutch Buildings Decree stipulates minimum daylight entry, this standard is not legally mandatory. The daily amount of daylight does not generally correspond with most people's biological clocks.
Vision of daylight as medication
	Daylight has a great effect on the human biorhythm and controls different bodily processes like body temperature, the production of hormones like melatonin (sleep hormone) and cortisol (stress hormone) and the sleeping-waking rhythm. Light is thus directly linked to people’s general health. Research has shown that a lack of daylight is the main cause of ‘winter blues’. In the Netherlands, 1 in 10 people suffers from this seasonal depression. In Ireland, this is 1 in 5. In the treatment of this and other kinds of depression, positive results have been achieved with light therapy.
Vision on increasing employee satisfaction
	Employees have a natural need for the varying illumination of daylight (colour, shadow, intensity, contrast, sun position). They enjoy the availability of direct daylight and ventilation options at their workplace. The presence of daylight products therefore affects satisfaction, attitude and performance.
Vision on energy saving
	Lighting consumes a lot of energy. In the hotel and catering trade, it is around 18% of total consumption; in commercial services it is 21% and in non-food retail 35%. The use of daylight reduces these costs. With a widely-applicable daylight product such as a solar tube, a major saving on artificial light can be achieved. In combination with artificial lighting featuring movement and light sensors, a saving of 30% can easily be achieved (source: SME Energy Centre).
Trias Energetica The Trias Energetica is a widely-used model for energy saving in buildings. The Trias Energetica’s energetic principle follows three steps and is also applicable to lighting. The use of daylight forms the first and most important step here. Trias Energetica Step 1: Prevent energy demand. Ensure a building that can be lit with daylight. Step 2: Use sustainable energy. Use daylight rather than artificial light where possible. Step 3: Generate the remaining energy demand as efficiently as possible. De Trias Energetica is een model dat vaak gebruikt wordt voor een energiebesparing in gebouwen. Het energetisch principe van de Trias Energetica volgt drie stappen en is ook op verlichting van toepassing. Het gebruik van daglicht vormt hier de eerste en belangrijkste stap in. Trias Energetica Stap 1: Voorkom energievraag. Zorg voor een gebouw dat door daglicht verlicht kan worden. Stap 2: Gebruik duurzame energie. Gebruik waar mogelijk daglicht in plaats van kunstlicht. Stap 3: Wek de resterende energievraag zo efficiënt mogelijk op.
Vision on lighting
	Energy such as the application of daylight is clean, affordable and continuously available. The energy requirement from unsustainable fossil fuels is thus reduced. The environment benefits whilst our dependence on these expensive fossil fuels decreases. The Taskforce Verlichting's (Lighting Taskforce's) report demonstrates that great gains have been made in recent years in residential and commercial buildings. The percentage of daylight-dependent controls in hospitals, for example, increased from 33% in 2004 to 49%.
Vision on daylight in the future
	The use of daylight as an energy source will play an increasing role in the future. Commerce, government, knowledge institutes and social organisations are joining forces to achieve a sustainable energy supply.

BIK’s vision

Use the oldest energy source

Vision of daylight as medication

Vision on increasing employee satisfaction

Vision on energy saving

Vision on lighting

Vision on daylight in the future