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Daylighting
Unicel Architectural’s timber curtain wall at Chibougamau-Chapais Airport wins prize for best institutional project under 1,000 square meters
March 24, 2023
Unicel Architectural’s timber curtain wall at the Chibougamau-Chapais Airport was recently honored at the Cecobois Awards of Excellence gala. The project won the prize for best institutional project under 1,000 square meters.
Top 5 – Reasons to Incorporate Translucent Daylighting in Your Athletic Facility Design
July 27, 2022
Natural light plays a major role in regulating the body’s circadian rhythm, and it is important that athletes whose performance relies heavily on their mind and body maintaining that rhythm get enough of it. However, not all environments are suitable for hosting outdoor practices and competitions. Some sports are also best played in a controlled indoor space. In these circumstances, translucent daylighting systems can help provide athletes with plenty of natural light during their indoor workouts in a way that is both practical and visually pleasing. Here are five reasons to incorporate translucent daylighting into your athletic facility design:
Did You Know? Window Shades Can Help Increase Productivity
July 1, 2022
The human body needs natural light to create enzymes and proteins for a healthy life. Without enough natural light, our circadian system gets out of sync and can no longer properly regulate sleep, alertness, and concentration. We become less productive. But too much...
Daylighting Design: How Much Light Do You Need?
January 3, 2022
Daylighting design can be challenging, but we’re here to help. In this article you’ll find some tips on where to use specific glazing materials, the best way to configure a system for your needs, some information on loads and codes, and more.
Top 5 Reasons to Incorporate Translucent Daylighting in Your Athletic Facility Design
December 1, 2021
Natural light plays a major role in regulating the body’s circadian rhythm, and it is important that athletes whose performance relies heavily on their mind and body maintaining that rhythm get enough of it. However, not all environments are suitable for hosting outdoor practices and competitions. Some sports are also best played in a controlled indoor space. In these circumstances, translucent daylighting systems can help provide athletes with plenty of natural light during their indoor workouts in a way that is both practical and visually pleasing. Here are five reasons to incorporate translucent daylighting into your athletic facility design.
Food innovation incubator retrofits century old building windows with Extech’s lightwall system
October 22, 2021
Factory, LLC has transformed an old steel mill in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, into a new business incubator for food and consum- er-packaged goods. Providing natural light, while promoting a comfortable, creative and productive interior, EXTECH/Exterior Technologies, Inc.’s LIGHTWALL 3440® interlocking polycarbonate translucent wall system replaced the brick exterior’s broken and empty window openings.
European Inspired Glass Wall Systems
October 13, 2021
Glass partitions are an easy way to transform your space into an upscale environment. Glass partitions can be as safe as they are aesthetically pleasing. Dividing Commercial and office Interiors with European Style Glass Wall Partitions offers an exceptional amount of style and functionality.
Translucent Canopies: Outdoor Learning Environments
October 11, 2021
As schools everywhere tackle the challenges of online and in-person learning, translucent panel canopies can provide a safe and practical solution with shaded outdoor classroom spaces. Guardian 275® canopies and awnings offer a flexible, open-air environment where students can gather and learn while being shielded from potential rain and direct sunlight. While direct sunlight can be hot and create glare, translucent canopies help make outdoor spaces more comfortable so students can sit and focus on their work in a relaxed setting. This also allows students to benefit from the fresh air, natural light, and views that come with being outside, which studies have shown to improve a student’s mental health as well as academic performance.
National Preparedness Month: Hurricane Protection
September 24, 2021
Falling at the height of hurricane season in the United States, September is recognized as National Preparedness Month and a reminder that natural disasters will happen - and without the proper protections the consequences could be catastrophic. This is especially true when it comes to architectural design and choosing the right materials for building a strong, dependable structure that is able to withstand and defend against damaging winds, flying debris, and other destructive forces. Poorly constructed buildings can cost a community not only thousands (or millions!) of dollars in damage, but also lives.
Window Wells add natural daylight to any underground space
September 13, 2021
Looking to brighten your basement? Window Wells add natural daylight to any underground space. Depending upon your budget, BILCO has an egress window well system that is right for you. Products are available in a planter design for added beauty inside your home or in a modular design that is the fastest, easiest and most cost effective way to add basement egress.
The Daylighting Difference: Restaurants
June 23, 2021
A restaurant’s lighting plays a key role in how a customer feels during their meal; and how a customer feels will impact how they perceive the quality of both the food and the facility as well as whether or not they will return. For restaurants that specialize in sit-down dinners, dim artificial lighting helps to set the mood for a more intimate dining experience where customers are more likely to eat slower and stay longer. For other types of eateries like cafes and diners that operate primarily during daylight hours, natural lighting is the best way to create a bright, buoyant atmosphere where customers can come to wake up and leave feeling refreshed. Restaurants with a greener or more nutritious menu may also benefit from natural lighting as customers tend to feel healthier and eat healthier in naturally lit environments.
New White Paper: Daylighting in Healthcare Facilities
June 4, 2021
From improved recovery times to better worker attendance, daylighting systems offer a wide range of benefits for healthcare facilities beyond their beauty and functionality.
Sustainable Design: Translucent Panel Daylighting
April 5, 2021
Optimize energy performance and improve the quality of your indoor environment without sacrificing strength or beauty with translucent panel systems. Illuminating large indoor spaces – from military hangars to school gymnasiums – with diffuse natural daylight not only decreases a facility’s dependence on artificial lighting, but also further conserves energy by cutting back on air conditioning.
Daylighting Application Spotlight: Transportation Facilities
March 8, 2021
From the welcoming environment that natural light creates to the privacy afforded by the use of translucent panel systems, nearly every type of transportation-related facility can benefit from access to daylight. Everything from transfer facilities and train stations to maintenance depots and airplane hangars can take advantage of the benefits of a well designed skylight, canopy or translucent wall system.
Daylighting Benefits: Give Your Building's Occupants a Boost
February 10, 2021
We all know the dread of walking into a dark, dreary, windowless space, or working in an area where there's no access to natural light. Without cues from the sun and the natural world, we can feel tired and depressed, and this lack of light can even have an effect on our sleep patterns. Luckily, that's where daylighting systems come into play - the natural light they bring into a space doesn't just help with energy costs, it also boosts our well-being.
The Daylighting Difference: Designing for Cold Climates
January 6, 2021
Since Major is based in central Wisconsin, we're all too familiar with cold weather and snow. But is your daylighting system up to the challenge? Is the space losing $$ in the colder months due to heat loss? Do you need a skylight or wall system solution that will stand up to the toughest environments?
The Daylighting Difference: Seasonal Affective Disorder
December 4, 2020
It’s that time of year again - and not just the holiday season! For many of us in more northern climates, winter marks not only the end of fall, but a reduction in access to sunlight. With the sun creeping lower on the horizon, and the days shorter, the lack of access to natural light can add to issues like Seasonal Affective Disorder, otherwise known as SAD.
Translucent Daylighting in Athletic Facilities: The Benefits
November 11, 2020
As more athletic competitions move to indoor gymnasiums, arenas, and practice facilities, it is more important than ever that athletes have access to the abundant advantages of natural daylight during indoor workouts. Bringing diffused daylight into athletic facilities not only contributes to the health and physical performance of the athletes, but also improves the viewer experience by illuminating the playing area in soft, even light. With translucent daylighting systems, fans can enjoy the game without the glare or hot spots that often accompany standard glass systems. Read how translucent daylighting can benefit athletes, make a positive statement on attendees, reduce operational costs, and more.
The Daylighting Difference: Energy Efficient Lighting
October 14, 2020
October is National Energy Awareness Month, and Major Industries is looking at a few of the ways that translucent panel systems help an organization lower its energy use and save on electrical costs. Fortunately, one of the largest consumers of electricity is also one of the most easily replaced. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), artificial lighting in the commercial and residential sectors is responsible for approximately 5% of the total U.S. electricity consumption in 2019 and makes up approximately 10.3% of all commercial electricity use. By decreasing their dependence on artificial lighting and utilizing natural daylight instead, organizations can lower operational costs while also helping to conserve the environment. And one of the best ways to do that is through translucent panel skylights and wall systems.
Designing for Resilience: Hurricane Protection
September 14, 2020
Every September, National Preparedness Month reminds us that disaster can strike at any time and how important it is to be prepared for when it does. And that means having a strong, dependable structure able to withstand damaging winds, flying debris, and other destructive forces. The built environment is often a community’s first line of defense against natural disasters, and is not only relied upon for protection, but also for preservation.
For additional protection on your next project, Major Industries’ Guardian 275® Translucent Systems - approved for use in most Florida counties, the Texas Gulf Coast and more than 95% of the hurricane zones in North America - can be configured to provide unmatched protection from the elements while allowing glare-free natural light to illuminate building interiors.