“Light memories” are visual episodic memories of a lighting composition that transcendedan emotional response. The study considers the memories and how they could be a wayto integrate users in the design process. Both designs and memories are considered twosubjective elements, for both designers and users. The purpose of the thesis is to firstly testif there are common light memories for users that share the same specifics of the cultureassociated to the availability of daylight and secondly to explore the possibility of creatinga design method to incorporate this light memory as a design tool, to recreate the similaremotional response of the memory in a newly designed setting. Two street typologies in Egypt were chosen to be the visual memories to be assessed. Apersonal daylight analysis was conducted to understand the designer’s perspective. And avirtual reality experiment was conducted along with descriptive questionnaire to understandthe emotional response of users to these streets. A comparison of the designer and usersresults helped in the creation of a scheme for design. The proposed method suggests theusage of perceptual tools such as the light distribution and contrast ratios and proposesthe analysis of the memory in terms of scales. The method is applied in the creation of twoexperiential models that abstract the essence of the light memories and puts them intoquestion for subjects to evaluate. The emotional response of users is recorded to evaluatethe method application. Based on the tests it was found that the existing of a common memory is possible. Theevaluation of the specific street memory through the experiential model results show that ahigh percentage among the users sharing the same daylight culture recognized the streets.Although most users had the same emotional responses to the models, but the agreementon the emotional percentage amongst them was lower than the recognition results.This indicates that the memory could be integrated into the design process but wouldn’tnecessarily have the same emotional impact on users. Having a strict design methodology isdifficult to implement yet could be an eye opener for ways to use the light memories.

Studies indicate that incorporating light rhythms have the potential to generate an atmosphere of curiosity to further explore a space. In lighting design, we can describe rhythm as the ‘flow of light’ as the repetition of shadow, shading and highlight patterns of an illuminated three-dimensional surface that we experience in space when we walk through it. To further investigate this topic, a survey was conducted in a computer-generated museum setting to examine how rhythmical light scenarios of both artificial and natural light can create dynamic atmospheres so that they influence the spatial exploration. For this purpose, scenarios of two categories were made by relative darkness in order to create “mystery” and brightness for ‘focal glow’. Each scenario included the incorporation of daylight conditions, encompassing both morning and evening settings. The experiment revealed a preference for the "mystery" scenarios and the evening conditions of both “mystery” and the “focal glow” scenarios. Nonetheless, it is advisable to conduct similar experiments in real-life settings to attain more substantial results and minimize potential survey bias.

This thesis examines daylight utilization in Nordic home environments without artificial lighting. One of the aims is to save energy and create healthy living spaces that fully harness daylight benefits. The research question focuses on how to effectively use daylight as the sole illumination source for functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing homes. Existing guidelines overlook the importance of daylight in homes and fail to consider human preferences, resulting in a research gap. To address this, this thesis conducts an analysis of three existing buildings and presents a design project that specifically focuses on building orientation, openings, and materials. Daylight calculations are conducted based on the proposed design. The key findings emphasize that a home without artificial light can be easily achieved during the summer months through strategic room placement, incorporation of skylight windows, and utilization of various window types. Material selection is crucial in creating a comfortable atmosphere while maximizing daylight transmission for optimal lighting. These findings highlight the importance of considering unique daylight conditions in Nordic countries and aligning designs with individual preferences. The study contributes by emphasizing the need for optimal daylight solutions that enhance energy efficiency, well-being, and user satisfaction in home environments.

The present thesis derived from a personal need to explore how daylight can shape the emotional state of users and consequently their indoor experience. As a lighting design student I appreciated even more the power that light and shadows have upon indoor experiences. To investigate this further, an experiment with five panels was conducted. Moreover, since daylight conditions vary according to the latitude the spaces were simulated in Sweden and Cyprus, and subjects from both locations participated in the experiment.  The results suggest that daylight distributed in horizontal, vertical and squared shapes evokes mainly pleasant or activating emotions. Circular shapes provoke pleasant feelings and the organic: unpleasant and deactivating. The outcome indicates that emotions, perception of light levels, light distribution and shadows can alter considerably among individuals from different latitudes. Participants from northern latitude perceived the space darker than those from southeastern latitude. Additionally, when the subjects felt happy in a space they perceived it brighter than other spaces. The analysis suggests a link between memories, familiarity and emotions. Lastly, the importance of considering preferences of different groups of users is emphasized.

Daylight is an essential element for both the built and natural environment. A careful design that acknowledges daylight performance can improve energy efficiency and environment protection, thus making construction more sustainable. However, allocating time to deeply evaluate all the aspects in a project might be challenging. In this framework, the aim is to analyze, through a specific designed case study, the different available options when it comes to manage daylight as a building material. Climate adaptation as a base for an architectural project is essential to achieve a regenerative evolution of the built environment. It should be holistically considered from the very outset, to conclude in a livable, sustainable and quality-designed space.  The aim of the present research is to thoroughly analyze daylight in order to use it as an input at the very early stage of an architectural project. Analyzing two different latitudes, Uruguay and Sweden, provided with a wide range of information, evidencing that assessing daylight is as complex as crucial.  Hence, the combination of academic methods with professional practice is key to design the built environment. By using an experimental cabin as case study, and with the support of the program Climate Studio, daylight is analyzed in these two different locations.

Glass facades building, especially offices, always need shading devices to guarantee occupant's well-being and comfort. However, shading devices are often composed of shutters or fabric tents which creates dark interiors and do not allow access to view out. Moreover, they ruin the aesthetical appearance of glass facades. The study aims to research and propose an alternative shading system for glass facades building which can prevent from glare in the interior spaces as well as respecting the continuity of a glass facade from an exterior point of view. Research upon materials that can be integrated into glass has been carried and Ceramic ink digital printing has been found as the right technique to ensure both a functional and aesthetical value. The material today has been used mainly for decorative functions. The patterns and the colors of the shading device proposed with ceramic and digital ink printing have been tested in Deloitte Building in Copenhagen with both 3D digital models and an online survey investigating comfort preferences.

This project, in collaboration with The Nordic Swan Ecolabel, deals with optimization of daylighting as well energy usage within a residential building for the purposes of Nordic ecolabelling/certification. One of the main purposes of this study is to understand the fundamentals of daylighting and to explore commonly used methods of daylight optimization and how these affect the energy consumption of the building. The other purpose of this study entails a comprehensive study of the evolution of daylight regulations within the Swedish building standard.In order to achieve the above intended aims of the project, a literature review was done on the fundamentals of daylighting as well as a review of the Swedish building standard. In order to evaluate the daylight optimization methods and how they affect energy usage, a mathematical model of a residential building was used within IDA ICE software. The simulated model was built based on certain requirements by the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.Due to time limitations, the study was focused on simulation of metric of daylight factor, and this limited the scope of the study. More realistic simulations with regards to control signals for internal shading were not possible within IDA ICE software. Therefore, simulations were done for only two extremes, that is, always drawn window blinds and never drawn.The window size, presence, and type of internal blinds as well as light transmittance affected both the average daylight factor as well energy consumption the most. The use of large windows with venetian blinds and light transmittance of 0.71 were the best alternatives for both average daylight factor and energy use. Increase in window size increased both the average daylight factor as well as the operational energy used within the building.

Light in nature is a unique element affecting man completely. The nature of daylight as well as its meanings are examined, to show that both stages decisively determine the application of light within architecture and, moreover, that man still remains capable of controlling that which affects him and generates meanings for him. Unveiling the unconscious, conscious, and applied relations between man and light as inseparable stages, demonstrates how the human can achieve unification with architecture by virtue of light. Light and man meet in space. It is architectural space that provides the only control over natural light and allows light to act upon man in striking perfection. Consequently, inquiring into light will improve the definition of architectural space. Beyond being a mere three-dimensional void or simply the object of imaginations, concepts, intentions, etc., architectural space becomes a new dimension. / M. Arch.

Decision-makers for road and stormwater infrastructure across America are faced with numerous problems that require immediate action. These decision-makers are faced with an option when the time arises to consider alternatives for these infrastructure systems: abide to the status quo solution or attempt a different strategy. Typically, these stakeholders choose solutions that are built to be rebuilt. Roadways and stormwater infrastructure provide two examples of infrastructure that requires constant modification and addition. However, other solutions provide opportunities that go against traditional decision-making and provide an opportunity to transform the surrounding land. Road diets remove lanes instead of building more. Green infrastructure such as river daylighting relies on natural land systems to solve problems. Both solutions share the ability to solve their respective problems while also revitalizing, or transforming the land surrounding them. However, barriers are presented to these solutions, such as scope uncertainty and funding sources. Case study research of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the Lick Run Greenway reveals that collaborative planning, goal framing, and unique funding structures are a few examples of overcoming barriers to innovative infrastructure. / Master of Science / As roadways and stormwater infrastructure across America is placed in an increasingly precarious position, decision-makers are tasked with designing innovative solutions. Typically, the solutions that are drawn up have been used countless times over decades of research. However, in the face of an uncertain climate and population effects, old solutions are less able to solve newer, bigger problems. Innovative infrastructure can not only perform its traditional duties, but also act as an attractor to cities. Road diets, which are projects that remove vehicle lanes, and river daylighting, which are projects that unearth piped streams to collect stormwater, are two types of transformative infrastructure. This research utilizes case studies of both to understand their barriers and how to overcome these barriers. The barriers that were found include uncertainty in the scale of the project as well as how to procure funds for the project. To overcome these barriers, a few findings include active community planning through open forums as well as selectively framing information of the projects to highlight their benefits.

Public buildings are considered to be the most power consuming buildings in the world. To reduce power consumption earlier studies propose greater use of natural daylight to illuminate surroundings, hallways and areas where to preform common work tasks and where artificial lighting is only used for the actual work space and places where higher light levels are required. In office buildings with available daylight, it has been shown that people have a greater general well-being, improved health, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity. The purpose of this study is to investigate how different room configurations can increase the amount of daylight in offices. The essay is based on an experimental study in the form of a questionnaire in which participants have evaluated and documented their perceptions of the visual properties regarding daylight. The evaluation has been carried out with scale models of different room configurations, but with the same window size and window positions. The results show that a room configuration with embrasures provides the most effective daylight harvesting. Embrasures contribute with maximum visibility, brightness and provide maximum light scattering. Room configurations with rounded corners have proven to give the most even light ratio between the light and dark areas of a room where the light is also spread most evenly along the walls. According to an evaluation of the visual properties of daylight, a room with rounded corners is perceived to be the most comfortable room and provide the softest and gentlest light impression. The study is limited to evaluate the amount of daylight and the visual properties of daylight in large office spaces designed based on energy-efficient passive houses with thick facade walls. / Offentliga byggnader räknas som de byggnader som har störst energianvändning i världen. För att sänka energianvändningen föreslås ökad användning av dagsljus för att lysa upp omgivning, korridorer och platser för allmänna arbetsuppgifter och där den artificiella belysningen endast används vid arbetsytor och platser där högre ljusnivå krävs. I kontorsbyggnader med tillgängligt dagsljusinsläpp har det också visats att människor har ett ökat allmänt välbefinnande, bättre hälsa, minskad frånvaro och ökad produktivitet. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur olika rumsutformningar kan bidra till ökat tillvaratagande av dagsljus i kontorslokaler. Undersökningen bygger på en experimentell studie i form av en enkätundersökning där testpersoner har utvärderat och dokumenterat sina uppfattningar kring dagsljusets visuella egenskaper. Utvärderingen har genomförts i skalmodeller med olika rumsutformningar men samma fönstermått och fönsterplacering. Resultaten har visat att rumsutformningar med fönstersmygar ger det mest effektiva dagsljusinsläppet i en kontorslokal. Smygar bidrar med högst synbarhet, ljushet och uppfattas ge mest ljusspridning. Rumsutformningar med rundade hörn har enligt dagsljusmätningar visat ge jämnast ljusförhållande mellan de ljusa och mörka delarna av ett rum där ljuset också sprids jämnast efter väggarna. Enligt en utvärdering av dagsljusets visuella egenskaper anses ett rum med runda hörn mest behaglig att vistas i samt ger det mjukaste och mildaste ljusintrycket. Undersökningen är avgränsad till att utvärdera dagsljusmängd och dagsljusets visuella egenskaper i stora kontorslokaler utformade enligt krav för energieffektiva passivhus med djupa fasadväggar.