Daylight entering a building offers at least two notable benefits, creating a high-quality lit environment and reducing energy usage for lighting loads. Studies have shown that building occupants benefit from natural daylight through increased energy, better moods and increased productivity. Fenestration layout and materials must be carefully considered to maximize daylight entering the building while not jeopardizing heating and cooling loads. One method of reducing heat gain and glare is by locating the glazing on the Northern side of the building, this will allow the diffuse natural daylight to enter the building.

Methods of optimizing penetration of light to the interior spaces include the use of tall windows, light shelves to bounce the light further in to an area, incorporate glazing into the roof space through clerestories, or through suntubes. Light shelves are especially effective on the south side glazing because it can shade direct sun glare from occupied areas while dispersing the direct light into the room on the ceiling. The shape of the interior building layout is also crucial in benefiting as many occupants as possible, this includes locating partitions perpendicular to windows.