Assignment Paper

LOUIS KAHN AND LIGHT

An Environmental Theory
Master of Architecture.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 3
2 Daylight and wellbeing 3
3 Daylight and architecture 3
4 Case studies 3
4.1 National Assembly Building of Bangladesh by Louis Kahn 3
4.2 Salk Institute by Louis Kahn 3
5 Louis Kahn and Light 3
6 Conclusion 3
6 Bibliography 4

 
1 Introduction
2 Daylight and wellbeing
Understanding of the importance of light has been around for centuries. Prescription of sunbaths can be traced back to around 400BC. Hippocrates suggested his patients to visit hills away from the city, where fresh air and sunlight is abundant. (Goldberg, 2017). This suggest that the understanding of health benefits from exposure to sunlight were evident centuries before scientific discoveries.
Florence Nightingale elaborately mentions her experience with patients about the necessity of sunlight. Patients, like plants naturally turn towards the windows to seek comfort. (Nightingale, 2010). Her experience mentioned in the diary demonstrates a direct connection between natural lighting and the wellbeing of patients. Reflecting on her experiences Nightingale encourages designers and planners to incorporate natural lighting and create a relationship with nature while designing spaces.
A study from 2005 on patients post operation confirms that patients kept in sunny room had a speedier recovery and experienced less pain in comparison to patients kept in dimly lit wards. (Jeffrey M Walch, 2005).
3 Daylight and architecture
Studies suggest that humans spend under 20% of their time outdoors. (Laporte, 2014). Evidently, majority of our time is spent indoors and therefore the relationship of natural light and architecture is incredibly important for our wellbeing.
Daylight is the most powerful design element in architecture. (Seidler, 1959). Seidler takes this further by talking about light as an alterable factor that adds drama to architecture by casting shadows which essentially impact the form of a space. The effect of sunlight is not only on the space but also the occupant. A report by World Health Organisation suggest that more than 30% of new and refurbished buildings may have a link to health problems, including Sick Building Syndrome. (Theakston, 1988).
Along with the direct health impact of light on humans, sunlight also plays a vital role in manipulating a space, thus creating atmosphere that indirectly impact the user’s behaviour. Manipulation of light in such way is evident in the works of Louis Kahn. “A plan of a building should be read like a harmony of spaces in light. Even a space intended to be dark should have just enough light from some mysterious opening to tell us how dark it really is. Each space must be defined by its structure and the character of its natural light.” (Kahn, 2015)
4 Case studies
4.1 National Assembly Building of Bangladesh by Louis Kahn
4.2 Salk Institute by Louis Kahn
4.3 Here you need a section which will discuss the matter
how does the architecture of Louis Kahn work with light ?
how does it differ in its way to treat light to other architects – for example tadao ando, Le Corbusier,

5 Louis Kahn and Light

6 Bibliography

Goldberg, H. S., 2017. Hippocrates, Father of Medicine. s.l.:Pickle Partners Publishing.
Jeffrey M Walch, B. R. R. D. J. N. W. K. C. J. K., 2005. The Effect of Sunlight on Postoperative Analgesic Medication Use: A Prospective Study of Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery.
Kahn, L., 2015. Notes on the Architecture of Louis I. Kahn. s.l., s.n.
Laporte, P. B., 2014. Prescriptions for a Healthy House. 3 ed. s.l.:New Catalyst Books.
Nightingale, F., 2010. Notes on Nursing: What it is, and what it is not. 1 ed. s.l.:Digireads.com.
Seidler, H., 1959. Sunlight and Architecture. Architectural Science Review, 2(1), p. 47.
Theakston, F., 1988. Indoor air quality: biological contaminants, s.l.: WHO Regional Publications.

– Between silence and light : spirit in the architecture of Louis I. Kahn ; Lobell, John.