It is well-known that daylight is a fundamental element to experiencean architectural space. In spite of that, there are limitedresources that consider how to form that space based ondaylight. This paper constitutes ‘Breaking the Box’ as a newconcept, which can be taken by architects, lighting designersand urban planners in parallel to their daylight design techniquesas a tool in design practice.‘Breaking the Box’ has its origin in the destruction of the boxconcept, a design method of the modern architecture pioneerFrank Lloyd Wright. Thus, it is an attempt to develop Wright’stheory in relation to daylight. The paper investigates severalqualitative and quantitative sub-tools in case studies andexperimental models, exploring a variety of configurations inspatial relationships and form to assess different characteristicsof daylight in residential environments.The aim of the study is to understand and control the penetrationof daylight qualities – considering both diffused skylightand direct sunlight – within a space in different latitudes.Thus, preserving the view and making the quality of daylightthe founding element shaping architecture by breaking thebox. The study revealed a strong relationship between daylightqualities and architectural form. As a result, it is evidencethat daylight does shape architecture. When it comes to incorporatingdaylight, form does not follow function but formand function are one.

This thesis investigates how the opening in the envelope of a typical Swedish commercial residential project could be treated differently from today. Instead of using the openings only to create a unique facade or to reach a certain daylight factor I try to find out how the openings could be treated in a manner affecting the perception of the interior space. Conscious use of qualities related to the opening, such as daylight and view has been used as a design tool. This project is not to be seen as a traditional design project but as an investigation about daylight and openings in commercial residential architecture in Sweden today. Also the project is looking into the industry’s relation to the subject of daylight.

No description available.

Thesis. 1976. M.Arch.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Rotch. / Bibliography: p.119-120. / M.Arch.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2005. / Adviser: Tse Ming Chung. Includes bibliographical references (p. 311-323)

Light as a catalyst of undefined perceptual opportunitiesA light stimuli research will try to deepen into the relation between perceived spaceand daylight, understanding the importance of daylight compositions and the way that stimulates people. A research on how perception plays an important role in energizing spaces.Experiencing atmospheres (light+space+material) is vital to understand light in the space. Previous researches have put the main focus on the perceived spaciality and enclosure in relation to the distribution of light and to show how can space be shaped. However, daylight changes, together with architecture, are capable of modifying perceptively movement in the interior space, turning the static into dynamic.The study will relate perceptual theory with experiential studies, investigating the possibilities light has when experiencing a transitional space and establishing the common points that induces the user to movement. Will focus on the intangible from a qualitative and personal point of view, presenting the light effects that instinctively stimulate a change of position in space.

This thesis explores the light qualities that generally imbue a contemplative and calming atmosphere andin what extent these qualities can be adjusted and applied in an existing indoor space. Starting point of thethesis are the vigorous pace of everyday life and the necessity of temporary breaks for internal calmnessand contemplation. In the present thesis contemplativeness is devoid of any religious connotations andembraces a more general state of calmness and introspection.In terms of creating a (contemplative) spatial atmosphere the transitional nature of daylight subtly indicatingthe passage of time and seasons is indeed a pivotal factor. In search of the main contemplative factorsa questionnaire was handed. Firstly, participants were asked about the spatial qualities of the spaces theychoose to contemplate, and then they had to choose between a predefined selection of spaces. A secondquestionnaire was created to further explore these contemplative (day)light qualities. The results notednature as an important element of contemplation along with the concepts of tranquility, orientation, andprivacy among others, a toolbox which guided the project phase within an existing meditation space inKTH.Finally, this thesis suggests that the outcome of the interplay between (day)light and nature offers an importantinsight in both the fields of light and architectural design and discusses how light qualities observedin nature can be adjusted to create the same contemplative feelings in indoor spaces.

Consolidating a library within the old patio of a building that for more than 100 years has undergone constant transformation is a challenge. Putting a roof over an area that was clearly defined to be open and under it a large library is a great opportunity. Due to its large area, a discussion was opened about implementing light on the surface of the ceiling, in a subtle and abstract way, aligned with the environmental parameters of the city. The white ceiling that appears to be suspended but is supported by large windows then became a White canvas for a play of lights brought on by daylight during the day and electric light for the long hours of darkness. Through qualitative and quantitative methods such as meetings, observations and surveys, the perception of the users was evaluated, and after tests, models and digital analysis, an intervention was defined on one of its facades that allows that ceiling to be reconnected with the natural and especially with the light. Exploring with elements such as the use of color or the management of reflections results in simple elements that can also be implemented from the architectural design, as support for lighting design.

Active daylight harvesting technologies that are currently available in the market have often suffered from wide-spread market acceptability due to their high cost and imperfect performance. Passive systems, though simple and affordable, typically cannot harvest higher potentials of daylight, which is dynamic over days, months, and seasons, due to their static nature. There is a research and market gap that calls for investigation towards the development of low-tech, manually adjustable, high-performance daylighting mechanisms to be used as an alternative to active daylighting solutions, which are often controlled by building automation systems. This research proposes a framework to support the development of daylight harvesting mechanisms, which will allow for low-tech yet temporary adjustable systems, merging some of the advantages of active systems with passive ones. The hybrid of the above two categories will be a manually adjustable light harvesting device that will allow for quick adjustment through mechanical means to few predefined positions. These positions will be customized to each location to achieve optimum daylight harvesting. The resulting device will allow for flexible adjustment to daily and seasonal variations of the sun's path, while retaining a level of simplicity and elegance towards low-cost installation and operation. Significant effort was made in the initial phase of this research to use experimental studies as the primary method of investigation. However, given the nature of daylight and practical constraints in the field, the experimental method was found to be not productive enough for extent of this research. As a result, simulation studies were ultimately used to generate the necessary data for the development of this framework. For the simulation phase 'DIVA4Rhino,' a climate-based daylighting software and 'Grasshopper,' a graphical programming tool for Rhino, was used to first construct a parametric simulation loop. Next, a reduced set of parameters for a manually adjustable light shelf system were tested for daylight performance, as a 'proof of concept'. Finally, based on the previous two steps, a framework to help the development of manually adjustable light shelf systems has been defined. This research shows that light shelves, even when kept fixed at a single optimum configuration for the whole year, can increase interior daylight performance in most locations and orientations. It also shows that indoor daylight harvesting can be further enhanced if the light shelf is manually adjusted on a seasonal basis. Amongst the variations tested, rotational adjustability has been found to contribute most to the increase in performance. Segmented adjustability, e.g. where the inner and outer sections of a light shelf are manipulated separately, was found to extend performance of light shelves even further though not by significant amounts. / Ph. D.

This research effort was directed at the development of legibility prediction models for flat-panel electronic displays used under typical office illumination (i.e., fluorescent) and various phases of daylight illumination. The models are intended to permit the manipulation of candidate display technologies and pertinent display characteristics such that legibility is maximized with respect to specified viewing conditions. Further, the legibility prediction models are intended to serve as an aid to the display designer in the intelligent selection of a display device for a known application. Critical legibility parameters were identified and relevant display measurement techniques were developed. A multiple degree of freedom daylight simulation apparatus capable of simulating the desired office and daylight illumination was designed and constructed. Reading speed performance data was collected from 14 subjects representative of both an age 18 to 30 group and an age 50 to 70 group. Each subject performed a numeral identification task using seven candidate flat-panel display technologies under 120 different symbol subtense/illumination/viewing angle arrangements. In addition, complete display characterization through microphotometric and microradiometric measurements was conducted for the seven flat-panel technologies under each of the viewing conditions. The results of the experiment revealed significant differences and complex interactions among the display technologies and viewing conditions which provided an excellent basis for the development of legibility prediction models. Extensive regression analyses were performed in which the human performance data was compared to both the critical legibility parameters and the display characterization measurements. Multiple sets of technology-based legibility prediction equations were successfully derived for each age group along with a generalized flat-panel display legibility prediction model. The models developed permit the evaluation and comparison of candidate display devices based on predicted reading speed as an indicant of legibility for a specified viewing environment. The required display characterization measurements can be collected in the field or under simulated conditions using commercially available hand-held measurement devices. In the absence of specific measures, careful estimation through comparison with similar display measurements contained in this report may be acceptable for certain applications. In their final form, the legibility prediction models serve as an aid in the evaluation and selection of electronic displays for a known application. In addition, the generalized legibility prediction equation developed holds the potential for application to other similar display technologies beyond those flat-panel candidates examined in the present study. Further, use of the models may permit the evaluation of new displays and display concepts without the immediate need for purchase, prototype construction, or complicated simulation. / Ph. D.