As described
in the “Light Revealing Experience” essay, our experience of light comes from
places that we know: the house that we
grew up in, our school, the cities that we’ve lived or visited, and many other
environments.
During
winter, one of the most pleasant moments of my childhood was when I felt the
morning sunlight on my skin. The morning light shined through a large picture window
and filled the living room. Although the size of the window caused energy loss during
the summer and winter months, the area that it lit up was warm and soothing.
Often, living or spending time in a place can
help us understand the attitude, and patterns of light. Such is the case in my current home, when it
had taken me an entire year to figure out the intensity of the sun light as it
shined into the dining room during the summer months, and specifically the
afternoons. The different qualities of light can dramatically alter our understanding
of the Sun’s movement. Observing the transition of the light in a small cozy
dining room as a source of heat and light, even when the window shade is drawn
to prevent the suns glare, is enchanting. This experience reveals different roles
of light throughout the day.
In
considering climate problems, engaging the lighting conditions into design
solutions allows light to play a major role in the creative process. As in Iranian historical architecture, empty
frames were used in various weather conditions. They were constructed from
wood, and then covered with glass to form a window. Also, they could be
assembled in a way to shape a wall for a balcony. These balcony walls had
successfully prevented the sun from shining directly into the space during hot
and humid weather conditions. This
design feature helped facilitated air circulation while creating beautiful patterns
and textures of light on the surrounding surfaces. Other design features of
these frames had them completely covered with various colors of glass for both the
hot and dry conditions.
Another
experience I can recall was walking through a historical shopping center called
a “Bazaar”, and seeing light as an image of nature. Typically, the Bazaar is a permanent enclosed
merchandising area with controlled climate conditions, and has streets of shops
where goods and services are exchanged and sold. Walking through with stores on
either sides, surrounded by sounds and attractions, is a surreal world. Suddenly,
I saw a beam of light coming through an opening of the ceiling as an unexpected
phenomenon. It was a pleasant surprise,
in an unlikely place.
The use of skylights
as a design solution can bring light to the inner portions of a building that
would otherwise be dim, but careful considerations in its application must be
anticipated. As in any design solution it
can be successful or unsuccessful. A successful example of this design features
is used by Steven Holl at the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki,
Finland. Holl’s use of a skylight brings diffused light into the inner space, and
brightens the entrance hall in an artistic and spiritual way. An unsuccessful
attempt with the use of a skylight is the main building of the Engineering Department
at the University of Mashhad. The skylight in the lobby brings straight and
intense sunlight into the building. It has no filtration and makes it too hot
during the summer months. The designer disregarded the fact that light has two simultaneous
aspects of illumination and heat that might make visiting such buildings an
unpleasant experience.
In adding to
my past experiences of light, studying this course with detailed reading and
experimentation will be helpful in understanding the patterns of daylight, and the
manipulation I could use to create lively spaces.
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