Bo Bolther

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There's No Good Architecture Without Daylight: How to Promote Designs Molded and Nurtured by Light

Humans spend almost 90% of the time indoors; that's approximately 20 hours a day in closed rooms and 9 hours a day in our own bedrooms. The architectural configurations of these spaces are not random - that is, they have been designed or thought of by someone, and are at least slightly "guided" by the conditions of their inhabitants and their surroundings. Some people inhabit spaces specially catered to their needs and tastes, while others adapt and appropriate designs made for someone else, perhaps developed decades before they were born. In either case, their quality of life may be better or worse depending on the decisions that are made. 

Understanding the importance of carefully designing our interiors, particularly through the lens of access and enjoyment of natural light, was the purpose of the 8th VELUX Daylight Symposium, held on October 9 and 10 of 2019 in Paris. This year, more than 600 researchers and professionals attended and reaffirmed the importance of natural light, presenting a series of concrete tools that could help quantify and qualify light by designing its entry, management, and control with greater depth and responsibility.

Sun-Filled Spaces Created By Skylights In 20 Architectural Projects

Perhaps the most renowned 'skylight' ever built is the Pantheon of Rome commissioned by Marco Vipsanius Agrippa during the reign of Emperor Augustus (27 BC-14 AD) and rebuilt by Hadrian (117-118) around 126 AD. At the highest point of its dome (in this case, the oculus) the sunlight shines, casting its beams over the various statues of planetary deities that occupy the niches on the walls. The light that enters the space symbolizes a cosmic, sacred dimension. In projects around the world, natural light continues to fulfill this scenic role, especially in religious projects.

It is characterized as zenithal illumination as that which comes from above, from the sky (zenith). Very useful for large spaces that can not be adequately lit by windows, skylights are a widely used device for providing a pleasant, diffuse light. Generally, care is taken to prevent direct entry of sunlight; the openings must be well designed so that they do not overheat the space of allow water infiltration. Below is a collection of projects that make good use of this technique.

Sun-Filled Spaces Created By Skylights In 20 Architectural Projects - Image 1 of 4Sun-Filled Spaces Created By Skylights In 20 Architectural Projects - Image 2 of 4Sun-Filled Spaces Created By Skylights In 20 Architectural Projects - Image 3 of 4Sun-Filled Spaces Created By Skylights In 20 Architectural Projects - Image 4 of 4Sun-Filled Spaces Created By Skylights In 20 Architectural Projects - More Images+ 39

NOKKEN Kindergarten / Christensen & Co Architects

NOKKEN Kindergarten / Christensen & Co Architects - Exterior Photography, Kindergarten, Facade, DoorNOKKEN Kindergarten / Christensen & Co Architects - Interior Photography, KindergartenNOKKEN Kindergarten / Christensen & Co Architects - Interior Photography, KindergartenNOKKEN Kindergarten / Christensen & Co Architects - Exterior Photography, Kindergarten, CoastNOKKEN Kindergarten / Christensen & Co Architects - More Images+ 7

Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2014
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  VELUX Group, Armstrong Flooring, Demo, EVERS, Elverdal, +6