ABSTRACT
Toplighting is a term used to describe introducing daylight from above, usually through the roof. The term skylight-to-floor area ratio (SFAR) is often used to describe the amount of skylight area installed relative to the floor area it is meant to provide daylight for. This chapter explores combinations of skylights, roof monitors, and clerestories, so it uses the term glass-to-floor area ratio (GFAR) instead. The main advantage of toplighting is that it provides access to the brightest part of the sky, the zenith, and has more hours of solar exposure than any other glazing orientation. When designing toplighting strategies, it is important to consider the size and placement of the apertures, their proximity to adjacent reflective surfaces, line of sight to the apertures so as to avoid glare potential, and the role of ceiling height. The as-built gymnasium uses translucent skylights alternating with roof monitors with a combination of south-facing and north-facing glass.
