One of these elements is of an architectural nature and has to do with light. It is the ability to design a basement in a fashion that would consider your house’s location and orientation and its context in relation to all neighbouring structures. It is also the ability to use design elements in a way that would amplify the sunlight coming to your basement. There are three ways to let the natural light into the basement:
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By using light wells with high level windows,
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By creating a patio on a basement level with glazed sliding / folding external doors leading to it,
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By provision of skylights
Have a look at our shade diagram. (Click on the picture to get a bigger version) Is it not fair to say that a skylight gives far more light than a window of the same size? Plus would you not agree that for basements under front or back gardens there is potential to install skylights of much bigger size than any window. One of the skylights we have installed in a basement had dimensions of 2.0 x 4.2m (6’ x 13’) and was a “walk on” type.
Now that you know the first element to consider in the design process of a basement it is time for you to learn the remaining two. While the light criterion is of an architectural nature, the other two are more engineering and good workmanship related. But before I get to the details I would like to ask you something and share with you a quite interesting observation…