RIAI CPD: Daylight, Sunlight and Environmental Performance in Practice

Course Aim

This CPD aims to equip architects and architectural technologists with a practical understanding of daylight and sunlight analysis, its role in planning and design, and its wider relationship to sustainability, comfort and building performance. The course will bridge standards, regulation and applied practice, supporting informed design decisions at both early and detailed project stages.

Course Overview

1. Daylight and Sunlight Analysis:Understanding how natural light affects building design and planning.
2. Right to Light:Addressing legal and design considerations to preserve access to natural light.
3. Pedestrian Comfort Analysis: Ensuring outdoor spaces promote comfort through wind and microclimate assessments.
4. Net Zero Carbon Certification: The steps to achieving Net Zero and aligning with sustainability goals.
5. LEED Certification: An overview of LEED certification processes and requirements.
6. Role of a Commissioning Authority: Understanding the responsibilities and importance of commissioning in achieving performance goals.
7. Regulatory Energy Audits: Key considerations for complying with energy regulations and improving building efficiency.
8. Grants Available in Ireland: Identifying financial incentives and support programs for sustainable projects in Ireland.
9. International Trends in Sustainability: A review of global developments in sustainable building and energy efficiency.
10. EN 17037: the new European daylight standard.
11. Daylight standards: in a planning context.
12. Practical examples: and applied analysis.

Preparatory Reading

https://www.solearth.ie/new-european-daylight-standard

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of daylight and sunlight analysis in architectural design and planning
• Interpret the intent and application of EN 17037 in practice
• Recognise how daylight relates to Right to Light, environmental comfort and sustainability objectives
• Apply practical insights from real-world examples to their own projects
• Engage more confidently with consultants, planners and clients on daylight-related issues

Speakers

John Gleeson, Director, BPC Engineers

John Gleeson is Director of BPC Engineers, with extensive experience in environmental performance, sustainability strategy and building certification. He works closely with architects and design teams to integrate daylight, sunlight, energy and comfort considerations into projects from early concept through delivery. John advises on Right to Light, microclimate, Net Zero Carbon pathways, LEED certification and regulatory energy compliance, helping teams navigate both technical standards and planning risk. His approach emphasises practical decision-making and the impact of early architectural choices on long-term performance, occupant wellbeing and project viability.

Brian T O Brien, MRIAI Architect BER Assessor Daylight / Sunlight consultant

Brian T O Brien is an architect, researcher and entrepreneur with an interest in sustainability and housing. He is is a graduate of T U Dublin School of Architecture, has a Masters in sustainable architecture from the University California at Berkeley, experience with UCDs Energy Research Group, 20 years lecturing on sustainable design at TU Dublin and professional CPD as well as two decades leading Irish and European research/ analysis and design projects at prestigious Irish sustainable design practice Solearth Architecture. He has been conducting daylight and shadow analysis for the last 20 years and is an acknowledged expert in sustainable design and building performance.