What does natural daylight refer to?

Natural daylight specifically refers to light that originates from the sun and penetrates indoor spaces from the outdoors. This concept is important in design and architecture as it emphasizes the benefits of allowing direct sunlight to enter buildings, which can enhance the overall wellbeing of occupants. Natural daylight is proven to improve mood, reduce eyestrain, and help regulate circadian rhythms, all of which contribute to healthier living and working environments. By maximizing the use of natural daylight in built environments, designers can create spaces that promote physical and mental health.

In contrast, indoor lighting fixtures produce their own light without any connection to the sun, and artificial lighting, even when designed to mimic sunlight, does not provide the same spectrum of light or health benefits as natural daylight. Dim lighting, while it might serve to create a calming atmosphere, does not equate to the benefits derived from natural sunlight either. Thus, the key distinction lies in the origin of the light, confirming that the correct answer pertains to light from outdoors that reaches interior spaces.