Read the Room Read the Room is a biweekly science newsletter and podcast for designers, written by researchers. https://newsletter.katipeditto.com/ en © 2026 Read the Room: Evidence-Based Design 01a01360-16f0-7af8-8fbf-7ef0e3d4b42f no podcast https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e9bde0fe-2de3-4c88-bacc-d3ff105b9626/podcast_artwork_20260818-232-rn09lb.jpg?t=1787031461 Read the Room https://newsletter.katipeditto.com/ false episodic Kati Peditto Read the Room is a biweekly science newsletter and podcast for designers, written by researchers.

]]> Kati Peditto kati@katipeditto.com Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:10:58 +0000 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 23:40:09 +0000 beehiiv In the Dark About Daylighting https://newsletter.katipeditto.com/podcast/s/read_the_room/in_the_dark_about_daylighting Daylight is good. But this study is BAD. Yet it's been referenced in over 200 other papers, project interviews, and LEED/WELL narratives. This episode explores where the famous "daylight = 20% faster math, 26% faster reading" numbers actually come from... Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:10:58 +0000 715 Kati Peditto false full 5 1 Daylight is good. But this study is BAD. Yet it's been referenced in over 200 other papers, project interviews, and LEED/WELL narratives. This episode explores where the famous "daylight = 20% faster math, 26% faster reading" numbers actually come from. Plus four newer studies to cite instead.

In this episode:

  • Where the Heschong Mahone Group daylighting numbers come from, and who paid for the study

  • The random assignment problem, and how HMG's own reanalysis tried to address it

  • What happened when the same research team ran a more controlled follow-up in offices

  • Four newer studies worth citing instead

Studies mentioned:

  • Heschong Mahone Group (1999). Daylighting in Schools: An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance. eric.ed.gov

  • Heschong Mahone Group (2001/2002). Daylighting in Schools: Reanalysis Report. PDF

  • Heschong Mahone Group (2003). Windows and Offices: A Study of Office Worker Performance and the Indoor Environment. Discussed in this Lawrence Berkeley National Lab review: iaqscience.lbl.gov

  • Aristizabal, S. et al. (2019). Access to daylight and view in an office improves cognitive performance and satisfaction and reduces eyestrain. Building and Environment. ScienceDirect

  • Baloch, R. et al. (2020). Daylight and school performance in European schoolchildren. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. PMC

  • University of Manchester (2026). Higher daylight exposure improves cognitive performance, study finds. University news release / Full study, Communications Psychology

A special offer for listeners:

Evidence-Based Design: Practical Foundations, my new course. First lesson is free. Use code READTHEROOM for $100 off enrollment.

Get in touch:

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]]> I Just Need Some Space https://newsletter.katipeditto.com/podcast/s/read_the_room/i_just_need_some_space What happens when you end a decade-long relationship... with your favorite place? It's not you, it's me. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:03:28 +0000 695 Kati Peditto false full 4 1 What happens when you end a decade-long relationship... with your favorite place? It's not you, it's me.

]]> Your House was Designed for an English Detective https://newsletter.katipeditto.com/podcast/s/read_the_room/your_house_was_designed_for_an_english_detective Agatha Christie, the U.S. Air Force, a gardener, and a man who hated the Metric system. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +0000 1095 Kati Peditto false full 3 1 Agatha Christie, the U.S. Air Force, a gardener, and a man who hated the Metric system.

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