Shadows In Architecture

hints In ArchitectureAs we all know that wild is all-important(a) for various activities and shadows be intrinsically committed with light. Light is inseparable from the notion of form and space and so is shadow from light. Throughout the world architects necessitate strived to marvel the use of natural light, but rarely do they consider the shadowed areas caused due to that light. The ambience of a space is affected by the quality of light and shadows. Treatment of light and shadows has been a typic feature of traditional Japanese architecture which understands and lays importance to the radiation diagram of areas in shade from a source of light. Ar Juhani Pallasmaa on shadows The imagination and daydreaming are stimulated by dim light and shadow. In order to think clearly, the sharpness of vision has to be suppressed, for thoughts travel with an absent-minded and unfocussed gaze. Homogeneous bright light paralyses the imagination in the same way that homogenisation of spac e weakens the experience of being, and wipes away the sense of place. (Pallasmaa, 2005).Architect Peter Zumthor listed the following as one his front-runner ideas to plan the building as a pure mass of shadow then, afterwards, to put in light as if you were hollowing out the darkness, as if the light were a new mass seeping in. (Zumthor, 2006).The area of study of this dissertation bequeath be based on the idea that if the lighted parts of an object are too light, the form of it is difficult to perceive, and if the parts in shadow are too dark no form leave behind be seen. When light go on a relief perpendicular to its surface, there will be a minimum of shadows. The intricacies will hardly be visible. Similarly perception of texture also depends on minute differences in relief. The dynamic nature of the shadows cast by sunlight gives an immense potential to effectively design and create shades and shadows. Ordinary day-to-day phenomenon like openings along a long corridor crea te patches of light and shadow and breaks the monotony of the long walk. Elements of buildings such as sunshades, jaalis, screens, louvres, etc cast shadows which have sours. The phenomenology of shadows is an important aspect of spaces.Hence, it is more than evident that light and shadows are an essential part of a space.If the architect has an mind of the relationship of the object with its shadow, he will be better able to control it to compose the shadows and hence the feel of the space.Research QuestionHow do shadows affect spatial design?Need creditEvery experience of architecture is multi-sensory qualities of space are measured by the eyes, ears, nose, skin, and tongue simultaneously. A development towards the dominance of the sense of vision has been observed and canvas by a number of philosophers in recent years. Vision, as we all know, is a consequence of light. Hence, in a very direct way, light is essential for perception of architecture. This study will focus on a r ather unspoken, yet ever-present, product of light, i.e. shadows.Elements of architecture undergo innumerable transformations during the course of the day and from era to season. In 1849 arse Rushkin stated that among the first habits that a young architect should learn, is that of thinking in shadow. (Rushkin, 1880). The shadow gives shape and life to the object in light. Casting of shadow reveals the relationships between objects. Just as Chiaroscuro in paintings and sculptures creates vitality, the play of light and shadow brings life to buildings. (Sullivan, 1947).ObjectivesTo study, in brief, the role of shadows in spatial design throughout the history of architecture in a chronological way.To study the role of shadows in the design of modern spaces, taking up examples and case-studiesTo study how quite a little react to the above mentioned cases. (designers intent vs. achieved).Lastly, attempt to formulate/arrive at generalities to assist the incorporation of shadow-design in the basic design of spaces and buildingsScopeThe study will analyze the role of self-shadows and cast-shadows (formed under natural light) in spatial design.Understand and analyze the effects of the two different types of shadows (with a visual boundary and without a visual boundary)Study changes in the use of light and shadow throughout the history of architecture.The study will includeVisual perception of the spacesBasic understanding of tones, intensity etcThe study will NOT includeClimato-logical impact of the natural lightTechnical aspects of light, including definitions and quantifiable items like Lux, Lumens, Illuminance, etc.LimitationsShade/shadow is seen as absence or relative deficiency of light. Hence, a direct quantification is not possible.The study has been limited to use of natural light in buildings to streamline the motion of study due to sequence and text limitations.Secondary case-studies will rely on the imagery and data available in the media and/or books .Direct question of people using the mentioned spaces (outstation or otherwise) is not possible hence the study will rely on the literature available.MethodologyLiterature SurveyCase-study chief(a) undischarged examples of such spaces in or around Delhi which have successfully incorporated shadow as an element in the designSecondary Prominent examples of such spaces which have successfully incorporated shadow as an element in the design, with sufficient data available for analysis.Analysis Analysis of the data self-possessed after the Literature Survey and Case-studies.Formulation of ideas Arrive at generalities after a detailed analysis of the collected data to assist the designing of shadows for spaces and buildings. This will help in sensitizing the reader to consider shadows as an important element in spatial design, and hence a whole new approach shot to designing. The formulations will tentatively be with respect to scale forms blocks and massing geometry material c olour and texture pertaining to particular elements of buildings (like sunshades, louvers, screens etc)Definitions (http//oxforddictionaries.com/)shadow(noun) a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.shade(noun) comparative darkness caused by shelter from direct sunlight.darkness(noun) the partial(p) or total absence of light.chiaroscuro ( http//www.britannica.com)the interplay of light and shadow on or as if on a surface( from Italian chiaro, light scuro, dark) technique engaged in the visual arts to represent light and shadow as they define three-dimensional objects.phenomenologyIt is a philosophical design current in contemporary architecture and a specific field of academic research, based on the experience of building materials and their sensory properties.Works CitedPallasmaa, J. (2005). The eyes of the skin architecture and the senses. Chichester John Wiley Sons Ltd.Plummer, H. (2009). The Architecture of Natural Light. London Tha mes Hudson Ltd.Rasmussen, S. E. (1962). Experiencing Architecture. Cambridge The MIT Press.Rushkin, J. (1880). The Seven Lamps of Architecture. New York Drover Publications, Inc.Sullivan, L. (1947). clothe in Architecture, Kindergarten Chats and Other Writings. New York Witten Art Books.Tanizaki, J. (1977). In praise of shadows. New Haven, Conn. Leetes Island Books.Zumthor, P. (2006). Atmospheres architectural environments, surrounding objects. Basel, Boston Birkhuser.BibliographyMurray, D. (1990). Architecture and shadow. New York Rizzoli.Pallasmaa, J. (2005). The eyes of the skin architecture and the senses. Chichester John Wiley Sons Ltd.Plummer, H. (2009). The Architecture of Natural Light. London Thames Hudson Ltd.Rasmussen, S. E. (1962). Experiencing Architecture. Cambridge The MIT Press.Rushkin, J. (1880). The Seven Lamps of Architecture. New York Drover Publications, Inc.Sullivan, L. (1947). Ornament in Architecture, Kindergarten Chats and Other Writings. New York Witt en Art Books.Tanizaki, J. (1977). In praise of shadows. New Haven, Conn. Leetes Island Books.Zumthor, P. (2006). Atmospheres architectural environments, surrounding objects. Basel, Boston Birkhuser.Chapter OutlineAcknowledgementsChapter 1 IntroductionLight and Shadow The inseparableShadows and spatial designResearch QuestionNeed IdentificationScopeLimitationsMethodologyReferencesChapter 2 Architecture PrecedentsShadows in Architecture through timeWorks of contemporary architectsChapter 3 Understanding shadows3.1 ShadowsSelf-shadows and cast-shadowsShadows having a visual boundary versus without a visual boundary (shades) obscuring etcDominance of shadow versus dominance of light launch of shadows in spatial designFormElements Jaalis, relief, pergola etcMaterials and textureDynamism through light and shadowChapter 4 Case-studiesPrimarySpiritual/meditation coreIndia Habitat CenterSecondaryChurch of Light by Tadao AndoThe Pantheon, RomeChapter 5 ConclusionAnalysis and conclusionList of Plates