ISSUED:       20 March 2007 
DUE:           19 April 2007

Exercise 7:

An examination of the role of context in shaping interior daylight

Daylight as a source of illumination is unique in its diversity.  Unlike electric light sources, the sun provides a light that we expect to change and this variation provides a richness that can be a major architectural asset.  Variations in daylight are both predictable and unpredictable.  On the predictable side, we are familiar with diurnal and seasonal cycles of the sun and their effects on daylight.  Changes in the sun's position create effects that are reproduced year after year.  Atmospheric conditions and local site characteristics provide qualitative changes that are more difficult to predict (though these changes do indeed follow patterns).  For instance, overcast skies will produce a softer, diffuse light with lower levels of illumination than the light available from a partly cloudy sky.  As the quality of light from the sky changes so does the effect of light within a naturally-lit building.  This assignment explores variations in natural light due to changes at the source (as opposed to the building). 

The assignment will be an informal exploration of the qualities of light available from the sky, the sun, and the reflection/transmission of exterior surfaces.  Diffuse light from the sky vault and ground plane will vary with changes in a number of parameters including orientation, cloud cover, time-of-day, horizon shading, and the color and specularity of the ground plane.  For this exercise, build a simple model enclosure (opaque) with a single opening to the sky (window) on one surface only.  Provide an additional opening in the wall that is perpendicular to the window wall for taking photographs of the model interior.  Size the photograph opening to fit your camera's lens.  The interior of your model is to be finished a monochrome matte white.  You should include a three-dimensional object in the interior to add visual interest and demonstrate modeling of light to your photographs.  The three-dimensional object should be painted white to match the model's interior. 

Your challenge is to document ten different lighting characters (within the model) by exposing the model to a series of different luminous environments.  Document these characters by photographing identical views of the model's interior.  If you're using a film camera then use slide film of the same type (preferably on the same roll) for these photographs.  Digital cameras work for this exercise, however, use a lens as wide as possible and set color balance manually to match the exterior weather conditions.  For each photograph of the model's interior take another shot representing the environment "seen" by the window.  As you take the photographs, document in writing the environmental characteristics that produced the light.  These characteristics might include time of day, date, cloud/sky conditions, orientation, ground cover and color, and comments.  If you can arrange to have a light meter note the exterior illumination levels.

Materials due for this assignment are the ten Image pairs (interior view and exterior view) with documentation in brief form of the conditions that produced each.  Post the results to your portfolio on the class WWW site.Try to achieve as wide a range of values as possible. We will review these Image pairs in class.