A new building casts its shadow

>> What causes loss of sunlight?

How can new construction lead to a loss of sunlight?

A new building is a major event in the life of my neighborhood. It’s a sign of its dynamism. It brings new residents and new businesses. For example, the Courrouze district of Rennes is undergoing a profound transformation. Previously occupied by military land, the area has become a privileged part of the city of Rennes. It’s a veritable open-air museum of contemporary architecture. Life here is now pleasant. A real piece of town has been created, with shops and even a small local market.

A source of renewal, new construction also brings its share of nuisances. New construction can overshadow existing housing.

How can I benefit from the dynamism of a new building in my neighborhood without losing sunlight?

new buildings that block out natural sunlight
A new building is often part of a wider urban redevelopment program that benefits the whole neighborhood – Photo Isaaac Quesada

What can I do?

A new building casts a shadow over me. What recourse do I have? First of all, I can raise the matter with the people responsible for the construction, and work with them to find a solution. If that doesn’t work, I can contact my local town hall to ask the town planning department for advice. I can also consult a real estate expert or a construction lawyer. They may advise me to take legal action to overturn the building permit or demand compensatory measures.

The further along the project is, the less influence I have. Time is against me. These things take time, energy and money. It’s important to assess what’s at stake. Then it’s time to take appropriate action. What’s my objective? Do I want the project to be modified, stopped, financially compensated or redesigned to restore natural light?

woman sitting on a chair chatting with other people
Getting in touch and talking things over is the first step in discussing the neighbourhood problems that a new building can cause – Photo Jessica Da Rosa

Searching for solutions

A new building shades me and deprives me of the sun’s rays.

A detailed study of sunlight loss can be carried out by an engineering firm such as Fluditec, which has developed expertise in this field. This makes it possible to quantify the number of hours of sunlight lost per day over the course of a year. The design office can also suggest constructive solutions to building managers, such as solar reflectors.

Espaciel offers solutions for re-solarizing spaces darkened by new construction. In such cases, the Espaciel Solar Patio Reflector enhances and redirects the sun’s rays to brighten up my home. It adapts perfectly to the problems caused by new construction, enabling me to recover lost natural light.

Espaciel solar reflectors installed on top of a building
The Espaciel Solar Patio Reflector, the ideal solution for compensating for the shadow cast by a new building – Photo by Espaciel

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A new building overshadows me