Annisa Nur Ramadhani 08111740000050

Aninda Febrina 08111740000063

Puspita Hanifa 08111740000066
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Architectural Form and Light

Pieter de Bruyne

Light as a basic principle is used to symbolize life as it is the opposite of darkness which
symbolize death. The gradation of light almost without we realized change our moods. For
example, we associate light as joy, bright, freedom or happiness. While, we associate
darkness as sorrow, brutal or sadness. Light can’t be separated from architecture. If there
is no light, there will be no architecture. Other than structural and functional properties,
light can create an aesthetic atmosphere and an emotion. The used of light in architecture
can be interpreted in various ways which makes great impact in architecture. It provides
vigorous and inspiring architectural forces. Despite giving a functional role, light gives more
meaning in architecture where light creates form.
With the current technology in this era, we still cannot find the exact measurement of
light required. Light creates various interpretation, that’s why we could not satisfy every
user of the building. However, light is essential in architecture. For example, a building with
large openings has a purpose to inject natural light. This solution could satisfy some user
and dissatisfy others because of various reasons such as they feel to expose or too hot
inside.
At the very beginning, architecture doesn’t define by light but is define by darkness.
Humans at that time wander darkness with torch in their hands. The light that appears
from the torch allowed them to perceive forms which then helped them to discovered
space. The discovered space became the people’s first shelter. Here are the following
explanations about the use of light in architectural form.

Catal Hyuk (Anatolia)

Catal Huyuk was a very large Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlement in Southern
Anatolia, a province in central Turkey. In these dwellings, we could see that there’s a small
opening on the ceiling. The small opening is used as an entrance to the building and as a path
for light entry. This building tried to kept a minimum light instead of maximum.
Nowadays, we can find a lot of buildings with different purpose. We can take a
religious and a secular (non-religious) building as an example. It is easier for us to determined
architectural solutions of light and aspirations instead of secular building. It’s because
religious building has their own rules, people could also find precedent of the previous
religious building. Yet, we didn’t determine random architectural solutions of light for a
secular building. Architectural solution isn’t just determined by functional properties but also
psychological value. Thus, the intensity of light achieved in secular buildings may be said to
have a more psychological value in so far as it is in direct ration to an ‘open’ as opposed to a
‘closed’ way of life.
Light is an important aspect in human’s life. With the presence of light, we can see
forms, people and objects. Generally, the light in the Earth's atmosphere is equal to the light
that is in the building. The light in the atmosphere is determined by the condition of soil
(vegetation or dessert), natural elements (wood or stone), colored or monochrome building
and the people. While the light in the building is determined by the light system, the materials
used, and the style of living. We can see the example from a landscape painting, such as:

Van Gogh’s Van Ruysdael’s Cezanne’s

At a time, light could be a determining factor to create a distinction between exterior
and interior of architecture. Although both of them are different, they’re still related whether
they are similar or contrast to each other. For example: the pyramid. The exterior of the
pyramid catches light and reflects it with the pyramid’s large surface. While the interior of
pyramid (the corridor and the tomb, to be exact) is a complete darkness and enclosed with a
mass stone so there will be no light. However, to create a distinction isn’t always by darkness
and light. It could also create by shadows. The contrast of light and dark (from the effect of
the shadow) creates positive and negative forms which can emphasize the architectural form
and natural light.

The Pyramid The Terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

The composition of elements in architecture can create poetical effect. In the Residence of
the Middelheimpark in Antwerp, the light that falling across simple white façade creates intriguing
and delicately effects. The negative forms on the façade of the Basilica, Vicenza, make an extreme
contrast of light and darkness. The use of a material, a fine white stone, and the simplicity of
decoration reveal the beautiful proportion of the façade.
 Middelheimpark, Antwerp Basilica, Vicenza

Contrast and rhythm in architecture can be found in Greek temple. There is extreme contrast
between the lit exterior, the colonnade, and the shadowy interior, the cella. A zone between interior
and exterior is formed by a transitional space, the peristasis. It helps for providing shelter to visitors
of the temple as well as space for cult precessions.

The peristasis itself acquires an independent atmosphere. The light that across the colonnade
creates shadows. The shadows act like a steps of staircases making the visitors want to explore the
temple.

The colonnade
The peristasis
The cella

Another example of using link of natural light and space is at torii of Inari shrine, Kyoto. The
gates placed in an interval which make the light penetrates from both sides and above. Combined with
color shades, a light tunnel is created.

In the pavilion in the garden of the Musee de l’Ecole de Nancy, a sand blasted glass roof shades
the building. It creates space that adaptable to climatic changes. The vegetation surrounding provide
shadows to the building. There are many buildings that have connection between building and nature,
such as Campo Monumentale, Casa Mila, and many more. This connection makes effects of
penetrating light in aesthetic ways.

Torii in Inari shrine, Kyoto Pavilion in Musee de l’Ecole de

Nancy, France
 The surface of the building, both by its texture and by any elements may reveal the architect’s
purpose. For example, the building Casa de las Conchas in Salamanca has shells that stick on the
surface. Because of its massive façade, the shadows of the shells strengthened the illusion.

Casa de las Conchas, Salamanca

A narrow gap, such as narrow street, staircases, or arches, can illuminate area which makes
the surface cut out from infinite light source. This is one of the ways to manipulate light and darkness.
The example of the building that have this interplay is in Palazzo Vecchio, Italy. The upper of courtyard
frames section of the sky. The opening illuminates the wall with various intensity of light.

Palazzo Vecchio courtyard, Italy