We’re Designing Buildings for Energy — But Forgetting the Humans – Episode 151 with Paul Rogers
This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with daylighting expert and architect Paul Rogers of ACC for a deep dive into the science, design, and human experience of natural light. Drawing on more than 15 years of specialized work and over a thousand daylight projects, Paul shares how a lifelong fascination with the sun evolved into a career focused on understanding how daylight interacts with buildings—and the people inside them.
The conversation explores how culture, climate, urban density, building form, glazing, glare, and solar heat gain all influence successful daylighting. Paul explains why simply adding more glass isn't the answer, why daylight problems are difficult to “fix” late in the design process, and why great daylighting is ultimately about sufficiency, uniformity, and control. Joe and Paul also dig into daylight simulation, aviation glare, evolving European daylight standards, and the growing conversation around full-spectrum natural light and human health.
It’s a fascinating look at daylight not simply as an architectural feature, but as a fundamental part of designing buildings for people. From fresh air and acoustics to light, temperature, longevity, and comfort, Paul makes the case that truly great buildings begin by putting human biological needs first—because ultimately, we aren't designing for the well-being of buildings; we're designing for the well-being of the people who inhabit them.
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More About Paul Rogers
Paul Rogers is an architect and daylight specialist based in Sweden, where he leads a team at ACC Glass and Façade Consultants. He has authored key reports shaping Sweden’s daylight regulations and represents the country in the ongoing revision of the European daylight standard EN 17037. Paul advises on daylight assessment for certification systems and serves as Sweden Green Building Council’s and Nordic Ecolabel’s designated expert on daylight. He is also active as an external thesis advisor and guest lecturer, and is a frequent author and speaker on daylight.
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