Light and Place
Light find ways to express different places. It generally expresses the place itself and the places physical feature and characteristics that determine how it differs from any other place as well as how the place changes over time. Light changes depending on its location and variation of time and thee changing cycle of the seasons. Climate also takes a toll on how climate is perceived in a place and it causes people to feel different emotions when experience the place. The circadian rhythm for each individual is influence as specific places retain their own identity within the general region. Not only do region influences people, the daily rhythm of light strongly shapes peoples habits and rituals. This being said, “Each place, each prospect from a place, is defines uniquely due to the myriad combinations that reveal it in light. This light shapes both the prospect from the building and also the light that enters the building.” (Light Revealing Architecture, Pg. 8). The genius loci also known as the spirit of a place can be experienced by responding sensitively to its light. The spirit of a place can be manipulated to enhance an experience of a place. This is generally done by manipulating light through reflection, colors, texture, or other qualities. Shadows in different variations can also add beauty to a space. This is seen as a simple way to allow the exploration of light within a place allowing for a natural charm. Considering this, one must take into account the orientation a place because it greatly influences that way light flows into the place. This is important for the comfort or the people experience the place.
Light and Nature
As time progresses and technology evolved we have essentially lost touch with nature. Although this has occurred, nature has a particular way of being part of people’s lives. The light that is portrayed with the natural environment portrays a spirit of a place that can be captured and modified for another place and still keeping its natural spirit and luminous qualities. The qualities of light change the nature of a building using different types of light that are seen within natural environments such as filtered , intense, or weak as well as patterns such as speckled, dabbled, smooth, or wispy and also the direction, color, and relation of light to its surroundings. Many designers are inspired by nature and attempt to bridge the gap of interior and exterior by using the qualities of natural light and also pulling element from nature to influence the spread of light.
Light and Climate
Light and climate greatly impact spaces, it deals with the spirit of a place, with thermal comfort, and also culture since climate affects people, their habits, and their rituals. The color and rhythms of light are related to the genius loci and should always be taken into account when designing a space. Light is used in tow way when dealing with the climate and assisting in the improvement of thermal conditions. Light provides a visual counterpoint within a place softening the harsh reality of an environment helping with extensive hot and cold climates. It is also a way to allow heat into a place in terms of the psychological connection of heat and light. Light has its ways of transforming uncomfortable realities of a particular condition, this can be as simple as taking into account that lights emit heat, whether it is sunlight or electric light. Keeping this in mind one can change a seemingly cold environment into being warm. The emission or warm sunbeams into an interior on a frigid winter day allows for a sense of energy and glamour within the space. Yet in warmer climates, cooler spaces are much more appealing and comfortable. By simply, presenting the sound of water, it creates a form a “psychological cooling” in order to alleviate the unpleasant condition of the actual climate. Climate is very importance when dealing with the comfort of people which influence how they react in and to a space.
Light and Time
People are biologically in tune with time, specifically pertaining to light. As the environment constantly changes around us so does light, which changes depending on the time of day or the changing of the seasons, and more so the different characteristic that come with each season. The constant shifting of light and color show the evolution of this, which is part of our life experiences. This can be revealed within a building by studying the ever shifting shadows on surfaces and the seasons are revealed by the constant changing color of the light. Relying on electric light may dampen the sense of time shifting from light to dark. Electric light differs from sunlight due to sunlight casting shadows into an interior where as in the darkness of the night electric lights spread light into the darkness in order to see.
Light and Task
Light is mostly noticed when there is not enough or when there is too much of it. Is a person is uncomfortable with the light they are working in they tend to pay more intention to the problematic light than the task at hand. Each person has a different need and light lever that they feel more comfortable in. the environment that you are in also require different levels of light depending on the tasks the space is used for. For instance is workspace is generally lit brightly to increase productivity compared to a restaurant which is very dim and intimate. Whatever the task in a specific place may be, light must be carefully considered.
Light and Me
On a day to day basis light influences me. One a good day I wake up with the warmth of sunlight spilling into my room giving me energy to start the day. At the moment that light fade I feel as if my day is done and I become lethargic and not productive at all. I believe this is what the circadian rhythm sums up about our body being on a time schedule depending on the light we experience.
