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40 421 Nordic light in architecture
Admission to AHO and successful completion of three years bachelor level studies (180 ECTS).
The course is open to students from: Architecture
Background:
How daylight enters a room, is essential to our behaviour, well-being and health. The unique climate of the Nordic hemisphere, characterized by an angle of the sun between 0-10% approximately 35% of the time and cloudy, diffuse light 2/3 of the time necessitates a distinct approach to daylight in architecture on northern latitudes.
In housing projects quantitative methods are predominantly used, and although building regulations are only securing a minimum average percentage of daylight; climate and context are not taken into consideration. A qualitative approach to working with daylight is mostly discussed in smaller housing projects. There is a need to improve how we assess and work with quality of daylight.
The objective of the course is therefore to provide students with basic tools and methods to assess both quantity and quality of daylight in the process of Making. Additionally, it aims to bridge the existing gap between technology and the art of building — encouraging students to adopt both a technical and phenomenological approaches to daylight in their work. The course also seeks to enhance students´ competance and awareness of local specificity concerning climate and context, emphasizing the potential of daylight as an essential generator for architectural quality.
In the course we work with both physical and digital models to establish an awareness of precision in the representation of light. We establish a relation between daylight in the scale model, representation of daylight in the digital model and how it is perceived and observed in the already built (1:1).
Each student will individually frame an interest related to the studio project (mastercourse) and build a model 1:20 of parts of the project where methods and tools to assess either quantity or quality of daylight are discussed in drawings, images and models.
The course is structured around research-based teaching methodologies, and students and teachers will actively participate in a collaborative effort spanning Nordic countries, aiming to improve education on daylight within the region.
Knowledge:
- of daylight theory (history of daylight, ongoing research projects, scientific)
- of the specific Nordic light (Nordic climate) and its characteristics.
- of taxonomy of quality of daylight
- of various kinds of light and shadow
- of the relationship between geometry, the light opening and the context and how it affects the “light-figure” in a space.
- of Building regulations and requirements in TEK 17
- of glass as material and how it affects light
Skills:
- In basic tools for assessing both quantity and quality of daylight in the process of making
- In using simple tools to draw the “light-figure” with diffuse skylight in plan and section (no-sky line + “upper and lower daylight limit”)
- In representation of daylight in both analogue and digital models
- In conducting a process of making architecture with daylight as the main generator.
- In digital tools for measuring quantity of daylight and daylight resources on the façade (VSC).
General competence:
- In the ability to translate theory and methods into the architectural making process.
- In utilizing the tools and methods introduced in the course to assess quantity and quality of daylight within own architectural work.
- In demonstrating av understanding of the complexity of the multifaceted nature of daylight, and how that can be used to achieve spatial qualities.
- In reflecting upon the multiple perspectives on daylight: sustainability, energy, climate, health and behavior.
- In an awareness of the effect the specific characteristic of material has on daylight (reflection, color, texture etc.)
The course is structures into 3 modules: 1) Tools & Method 2) Explore—geometry and daylight, and 3) Daylight work.
Each module includes of 1 task, relevant lectures and readings, feedback sessions, and pin-up presentations. Attendance is expected at all common activities.
Teaching activities and communication are organized through the Outlook calendar
- Tools & Method
- Observing daylight over time: Drawings, models, photography and simulations to document both quality, quantity and variations of light over time in one specific room
- Comparison of analogue and digital tools to assess daylight quality and quantity in one specific room.
- Reading essential texts (papers, articles, essays) and present short lectures to the group.
- Interviewing practicing architects on their tools and methods to assess daylight quantity and quality in the process of making.
- Excursion to Daylight LAB, NMBU, measuring daylight in a physical model.
- Explore —geometry and daylight
- Exploring the potential of Nordic light in models (spatial instruments to investigate the relation between proportions, geometry and light openings) and model photos — with the aim to make a taxonomy daylight quality on northern latitudes.
- Case study —historical references.
- Daylight Work
- Using tools and methods from Module 1 and 2, to explore further one specific daylight condition in the studio project, in model 1:20, drawings and images.
Course literature will be available in Leganto.
| Mandatory coursework | Courseworks required | Presence required | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presence required | Required | Students are required to attend no less than 80%. |
| Form of assessment | Grouping | Grading scale | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio assessment (Vurderingsmappe) | - | Pass / fail | The basis for assessment in the course is based on a portfolio consisting of assignments and presentations. To pass requires hand in of the assignment in all 4 phases and attend 80% if the course activity. Students will be assessed on what is achieved in relation to described learning outcomes and on the project assignment (all 4 phases). |
| Workload activity | Comment |
|---|---|
| Attendance | Students are expected to attend all course days and be active participants in the seminar activities. |