Clerestory Windows

Source: Architectural Lighting Associates - ALA, Inc. Online Gallery  (ala-inc.net)

In my coffee shop design, the main coffee bar and table seating are housed in an open, two-story space. My initial though was to utilize one large window, almost the size of one of the walls, to add daylight into the space. However, after viewing this photo, I much prefer the effect of the clerestory windows. For one, the clerestory windows allow daylight into the space without the risk of an overabundance of light and glare. It also increases the scale of the room which I believe adds a bit of drama and capaciousness to the space while still allowing you to connect on a more intimate level with the objects that directly surround you. I also enjoy the effect of that the three chandeliers have on the large space. I feel that using three smaller lumieres helps make the room’s intended grand scale more manageable and also helps diffuse light more evenly.