The Power of Natural Light in Tiny Homes

In cities across the United States, interim housing has emerged as a critical bridge for unhoused individuals offering stability and dignity while they work toward permanent solutions. Yet, many tiny homes used in these communities feel isolating and lack the warmth of natural light.

Recent research highlights a simple yet powerful design improvement: the addition of skylights. Natural light does far more than brighten a room. Studies show it reduces stress, lifts mood, and improves sleep by regulating our circadian rhythms. For individuals experiencing the challenges of homelessness, these benefits are profound. A skylight transforms a small, temporary shelter into a healthier, more hopeful space.

The environmental impact is equally important. Skylights can reduce reliance on artificial lighting, cutting energy use by up to 77%! They also provide passive solar heating, lowering the need for electricity and gas during colder months. In a world urgently seeking sustainable solutions, these modest design choices demonstrate how environmental responsibility and human well-being go hand in hand.

Interim housing should be more than a stopgap — it should help people rejoin community life with dignity and optimism. By rethinking design to embrace natural light, we can create spaces that are both environmentally sustainable and profoundly human.

Read my full paper The Importance of Natural Light to explore the research in depth.

The Importance of Natural Light.pdf

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