One of the most important passive resilience approaches for your project is that of well daylit spaces and good views to outside appropriate to the building’s intended functions and user’s needs. Daylight and views / connection to outside are crucial for well-being, and reduce energy use. Good daylighting depends on plan depth and ceiling height, window locations and sizes and internal finishes and external reflections. Design should ‘lock in’ access to daylight at early stages: making changes is often not possible once built.

Good natural light, views and connection to outside are crucial for human health and well-being. Good visual comfort needs to be provided in all spaces inhabited by humans for any length of time. Doing so supports people’s well-being and can create delightful spaces, while at the same time minimising the energy needed for active heating and artificial lighting. This can reduce running costs and reduces running costs and tackles the climate emergency.

‘Fabric first’ principles are the foundation of zero energy / zero carbon and other low energy / low carbon building designs.