Excellent Light an exploration in the divine and sacred

Abstract

Lighting certainly affects one’s perception of their surrounding environment. Everyone has experienced the effect of lighting from various sources (sun, moon, etc.), but the impression that it leaves will vary depending on multiple factors. Questions arise when trying to understand the affect that lighting has on one’s experience. How do the different factors (culture, society, etc.) influence the way one may experience light? Can the experience of a particular space be altered by varying the source of light or other influences? How does the lighting affect the manner in which we behave or act in a certain environment? What feelings occur when experiencing a variation in the quality of light? If excellent light is achieved, how will using the same elements in various settings impact the way we experience architecture? In the attempt to gain a more thorough understanding of how people experience light in a certain setting, a phenomenological investigation of the relationship between the person and tectonics will be necessary. In some cases, one may experience a sense of nostalgia. The connectivity of the person to their surroundings when having this feeling becomes a possible route of exploration. Using light as a form of communication also creates a while new opportunity to better define the relationship between people and light. The architect can use light and shadows to express and/or communicate certain qualities of the building/space. Manipulating the light and shadows will allow the architect to create a certain visual experience and emotional reaction, but how it is achieved becomes another exploration in itself.