"THE ARCHITECTURE OF NATURAL LIGHT" by Henry Plummer, Laureate of The Daylight Award 2020

Summary

This script explores the transformative power of natural light in architecture, illustrating how light brings buildings to life, influencing mood and perception. It delves into the historical and modern approaches to utilizing light, from the emotional impact of light in darkness to the practical use of glass for openness. The script highlights architects' efforts to control and manipulate light to create atmospheric spaces that evoke wonder and elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Buildings, despite being physically static, can perceptually transform through the movement of natural light, displaying signs of life as light interacts with their spaces.
• 🌞 The mood of objects within a building is influenced by the natural light, which can change with the weather or the time of day.
• 🔦 Shadows are portrayed as a tangible presence that can vary in depth and sharpness depending on how they are cast or settle in the space.
• 🌠 The visual attraction of light, such as a light at the end of a tunnel or a lamp at night, has a strong emotional impact and energizes the space.
• 🎨 Light has the power to transform architectural spaces, creating a sense of movement and depth, as seen in the examples of baroque domes and zen temples.
• 🌟 The experience of light and darkness is a primal image that transcends immediate memory and provides a deep emotional encounter with light.
• 🏢 The practical value of large areas of clear glass, made possible by industrial production, has led to a state of openness and lucidity in architecture.
• 🌬️ Italo Calvino's thoughts on lightness through the subtraction of weight to dissolve solidity resonate with the idea of atomizing things, as seen in Lucretius' poetry.
• 🏗️ Modern architecture has sought to permeate buildings with natural light and fresh air, promoting health and expressing the openness and mobility of the modern age.
• 🛠️ Pioneers in architecture like Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto, and Hermann Hertzberger have explored innovative ways to maximize natural light beyond traditional glazing methods.
• 💡 The manipulation of materials to increase their sensitivity to light has historically been used to render buildings luminous, enhancing their beauty and sense of aliveness.

Q & A

How do buildings transform perceptually with the changes in natural light?

Buildings perceptually transform through the movement and registration of natural light, as beams of light entering rooms or gliding over walls can stir what would otherwise be static volumes, giving them a sense of life and mood.

What role do shadows play in the architectural experience of light?

Shadows are a palpable presence in architecture; they can thin or deepen, soften or sharpen, depending on how they are cast onto walls or settle in space, adding depth and mood to the environment.

How do visual attractions like 'the light at the end of the tunnel' affect space?

Visual attractions electrify space with strong perceptual and emotional forces, creating a sense of allure and connection to the environment.

What is the significance of the loss and recovery of light in darkness according to Gaston Bachelard?

The loss and recovery of light in darkness is a primal image that transcends immediate memory and provides a deep, felt encounter with light, amplifying the emotional response to architectural spaces.

How does the use of glass and transparency influence architectural design?

The interplay of glass and transparency has been a significant focus in architectural design over the past century, allowing for openness, lucidity, and the conveyance of the healthful benefits of nature into buildings.

What does Italo Calvino suggest about the virtues of lightness in architecture?

Italo Calvino suggests that lightness in architecture, achieved by subtracting weight, can dissolve the solidity of the world, creating a sense of openness and mobility that characterizes the modern age.

How do architects manipulate natural light to create a spirit of place?

Architects manipulate natural light to create a spirit of place by not just illuminating form, but by creating an overall atmosphere that bathes every object in the field of vision, affecting the sensibility directly.

What is the effect of light on materials in architecture?

Light can penetrate matter and temporarily produce an inward glow, transforming otherwise mute objects and dull materials, making them shine with elevated beauty and a sense of being more fully alive.

How have pioneers like Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Alvar Aalto explored the use of natural light in architecture?

These pioneers explored the morphology of open form, going beyond conventional solutions to maximize light by expanding the size and proportion of glazing in building envelopes, aiming to permeate buildings with natural light and fresh air.

What is the concept of 'weightless being' in relation to light in architecture?

The concept of 'weightless being' refers to the idea that light is not just refracted but splintered and pulverized, creating an effect of lightness and transparency that contributes to the overall atmosphere of a space.

How does the manipulation of materials contribute to the luminosity of buildings?

The manipulation of materials to increase their sensitivity to light can render buildings luminous, enhancing the architectural experience and creating a sense of wonder and beauty.