MAKING- The use of natural lighting and how it makes space.
- Gire Calderon
- Mar 9, 2019
- 3 min read
This thesis studies how light makes the space and how it provides the qualities for the user to feel the intimacy of the space. It explains how natural light has been used throughout history in different ancient civilisations. It describes how the Greeks used natural lighting to reflect on its status. It states how natural lighting has lost its significance compared to artificial light. The author explains how architects such as Le Corbusier and Tadao Ando and how they incorporate natural lighting into their design.
He quotes Corbusier, ‘As you can imagine, I use light freely; light for me is the fundamental basis of architecture. I compose with light.’ The light sources have been used in a restrained manner, but Corbusier lays utmost importance to their placement that defines the interior volumes.
The author argues of the power of light and diffusion in Japanese culture. How Light can transform an ordinary space into a space that gives a strong response from the user. He argues how lighting can change overall the perception of a place.
The author states how a particular place has its light and how the site itself plays a vital role in how the light will interact with the built environment. Also, the source plays an important role, and by observing how the light behaves, we can create architecture.
Windows are a significant component when studying how space enters a space. When considering light, we have to consider the intensity. He argues when we state opinions of the space. It depends if the area meets our visual expectations.
The author explores the shadows generated by light and the mystery associated with it. The colour can change the perception of a space. Light colour can reflect more than a dark colour, making the room look bigger.
According to Gil, The surfaces of the material are responsible on the way it reflects, refracts and absorbs the light received from the source. Materials directly affect the amount of light and quality of light in the space.
Also, we have to consider the type of finishing. Glossy tend to reflect more light than matte. We have to consider how light bounces. We also need to take into consideration how people behave toward space. When walking people tend to move towards the light.
In the text, the author studies an experimental study that answers will light or bright surfaces actually stimulate a person to move towards them where they are alternate choices to move in directions where light is not a dominant feature. What they found out is that people tend to move to a brighter space when they have presented the option.
An essential element addressed in this text is how the human take time to adjust to the changes in brightness and contrast. And how they should be a buffer light zone within the space.
The author does an in-depth analysis of the work of Le Corbusier of the chapel of Notre Dame du Haut and the use of light.
This thesis was essential to my research due that I am concentrating on light and perforations and how they can improve the quality of the space. The crypt that I am currently intervening is very dark and has no natural light which I want to incorporate to my design.
References
Gill, S. (2006). A STUDY OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL LIGHT IN SELECTED BUILDINGS DESIGNED BY LE CORBUSIER, LOUIS I. KAHN AND TADAO ANDO. MASTER OF SCIENCE. Texas A&M University.
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