During
this semester, we will use light as a model for all of the areas we examine in
environmental controls. We will
study the phenomenon itself, its behavior, its effects, its implications in
terms of energy usage and how humans perceive it.
Nature is very interesting. Almost
all of the environmental controls processes behave in a similar manner.
We will also study the graphic and physical procedures and tools that we
use to study such phenomena, in the scientific an dresearch sense.
But in the end, we will study the huge impact of this “technical”
phenomenon on design. In the next
semester, we will study computer tools, and we will broaden our examination to
all the areas of environmental controls.
"The real subject of every painting is light." - Claude Monet
"For the rest of my life I want to reflect on what light is." - Albert Einstein (Clark, p.252)
"Architecture is the masterly correct and magnificent play of masses brought together in light. Our eyes are made to see forms in light; light and shade reveal these forms; cubes, cones, spheres, cylinders or pyramids are the great primary forms which light reveals to advantage." - Le Corbusier
The
artist, the scientist and the architect who want to understand their world are
fascinated by light. Light is the
medium of perception in art and in architecture. Light is also one of the most fascinating aspect of physics.
As far as we know, it is the only constant.
Indeed time and space warps around the constant speed of light. Yet even
in physics, light is complex. It
behaves like a particle (photon) and like a wave (radiant energy.)
Studying light gave rise to the Lorenz equation (the numerical formula by
which you can actually calculate the behaviors first described by Einstein.)
We will examine the perceptual and physical aspects of light.
We will learn how the design profession has used light, the tools with
which it studies light, and the design principles and drawing conventions with
which the profession manipulates light in buildings.
The semester will be divided into three segments.
1.)
Natural light in buildings:
A.)
Physical models - how to make them, how to use them - lectures,
assignments and reviews
B.)
Case studies - lectures reviewing different periods of history and
outstanding examples of the use of natural light in each period
2.)
Artificial light in buildings:
A.)
Sources of light and their characteristics - lectures and field trip(s)
B.)
Design principles and methods - lectures on design principles and drawing
conventions specific to lighting design, followed by a field trip to an award
winning lighting design office
C.)
Simple lighting design, using lighting plan, fixture schedule and fixture
cuts
3.)
Advanced student projects (choose one):
A.)
Lighting Design Competition Entry
B.) Fabricate
a light fixture
The
class will take the form of nine weeks of class lectures and labs with small
projects, followed by six weeks of working on an advanced project of the
student's choice. There will also
be guest lectures and site visits during the semester. Three extra lab sessions are to be arranged.
Tuesdays at 12:00 to 2:00 pm are suggested.
Students who have taken Arch 315 and who are taking the course for only
three credits are exempted from selected lectures, which are noted as “315
exempt.”
Required
text: Simplified Design of Building Lighting, Marc Schiler, Wiley
& Sons, NY, 1993
Session
1
Introduction: Purpose of class, target groups, overall layout of
semester
Lecture A: Why is light so important?
What are light's characteristics and how do we measure them?
Why is natural lighting so important?
Lecture B: The Use of Physical Models for Understanding and Predicting
Natural Light in Spaces and Buildings (315 students are exempt)
Assignment: Simple Daylit Models (Set up lab times during daylight
hours.)
Daylight Lab
Session: Testing Simple Student Models
2
Student Presentation: Simple Daylit Models
Lecture A: Measurement and Data Presentation Techniques
Lecture B: The Use of Natural Light in Gothic and Renaissance Buildings
(315 exempt)
Assignment: Improved (and Measured) Student Models
Daylight Lab
Session: Testing Improved Student Models
3
Student Presentation: Improved Student Models
Lecture A: Graphic Calculation methods for Natural Lighting
Lecture B: The Use of Natural Light in Baroque Buildings (315 exempt)
Assignment: Rendering (and Photographing) Models
(no lab)
4
Student Discussion: Difficulties with Detailed Models and
Photography
Lecture A: Lumen Method for Calculating Natural Lighting
Lecture B: The Use of Natural Light in the Modern Movement (315 exempt)
Assignment: continue work on slide presentation
Daylight Lab
Session: Photographing Models
5
Student Presentation: Slides of Models
Lecture A: Electric Light Sources and Fixture Types
Lecture B: The Use of Natural Light by Contemporary Architects (315
exempt)
Assignment: none
(no lab)
6
Student Presentation: Slides of Models (continued)
Lecture A: Lighting Drawings - Choreography, Lighting Plan, Fixture
Schedule, and Fixture Cuts
Lecture B: Lighting Calculation methods - Point Grid method (315 exempt)
Assignment: Simple Lighting Design
(no lab)
7
Downtown walking tour of natural lighting in buildings and interior and
exterior artificial lighting. Optional
tour of City Walk. (Contact MOCA at
(213)621-2766 and Francine Lipsman (213)621-0200.)
8
Studio Pinup: Simple Lighting Designs
Lecture A: Lighting Designers and the Lighting Design Process
Lecture B: Lumen Method for Calculating Electric Lighting (315 exempt)
Assignment: none, but continue work on Simple Lighting Design
9
Jury: Presentation of simple lighting design to invited jury
10
Student Discussion: Juror reviews.
Lecture: An Introduction to the competitions for 2000/2001.
11-14
DIFFICULT TRANSITION - Students must select their final project from
IESLA, DLF or Brandston design competitions.
The class becomes a design studio / laboratory interspersed with the
following field trips:
TBA:
visit to CTAC, Lightolier or Prudential
TBA:
visit to PBQA, Lighting Design Associates, or Joe Kaplan
15
Final Presentation:
Last week of classes - Invited jury composed of fixture manufacturer,
lighting designer and guest faculty.
