Light plays a significant role in architecture by affecting how spaces are perceived and experienced. There are two main sources of light - natural light from the sun and sky, and artificial light from electric sources. Natural light is preferable as it provides psychological and health benefits and reduces energy costs. Daylighting techniques like windows, skylights, lightwells, and clerestories are used to introduce natural light into interior spaces. Artificial lighting is also important and includes ambient, accent, task, and decorative types to serve different lighting needs. The dynamic interplay between light, space, and humans is fundamental to architectural design.

1. Light As An Architectural Element
Submitted By-
Radhika Verma
Roll no- 19

2. Contents
•Introduction
•What is light
•Relationship between light space and human
•Relationship between light and architecture
•Natural light and architecture
•Lighting
•Natural lighting
•Daylight
•Types of daylighting
•Artificial Lighting
•Types of Artificial Lighting
•Conclusion
•Bibliography

3. •The perception of space is directly connected to the way light integrates with it.
•What we see, what we experience and how we interpret the elements is affected by
how light interacts with us and with the environment.
•Regarding architecture, in whatever dimension it can be analyzed, either as space, as
material or as color, it is essentially dependant on the lighting situation that involves
both the object and the observer.
Introduction
•The dynamic daylight and artificial lighting are able to instigate and provoke
different visual experiences and moods.
•Due to the light, it is possible to perceive different atmospheres in the same
physical environment.
• Light constitutes an element of fundamental relevance and therefore it plays a
significant role in the in architecture.
Grand Central Terminal.Lightwell

4. •Light is the soul of architecture design.
•Light allows us to see, to know where we are
and what around us.
•Beyond exposing things to view and feel, light
models those objects to enhance visual and to
help us define the physical world.
•Nothing would be visible without light, light
also makes it possible to express and show to
the mind's eye things that eludes the physical
one.
• To redefine the relationships of people with
the environment and with themselves.
•It is divided into natural light and artificial
light
•Natural light is a gift of nature.
•Civilized man learns to use artificial light
sources which free him from total dependence
on daylight.
•Artificial light is seeing both during the day as
well as after dark.
What Is Light?
Natural light through brick jaalis

5. •Light is fundamental for space and essential for
human well-being and it is the success of any
building.
•Light quality affects human behaviour, health,
comfort and mood.
"Space and light and order. Those are the things
that men need just as much as they need bread or
a place to sleep"
-Le Corbusier, August27, 1965
•Light, space and human they effect and work with
each other.
•Space needs light to illuminate; light needs space
to receive it, light within the space change human
experience.
Relationship Between Light, Space and Human

6. •Most of the architectures like to amplify use of
natural light.
•Natural light makes architectural more harmony
between exterior ,interior, nature and human.
•Light work with some element like colours, can
make space more dynamic and beautifier and it
is a major natural element in architecture design.
• Vision is most important sense through which
we experience architecture, and light is the
medium that reveals space, form, texture and
color to our eyes.
•More than that, light can be employed through
design to evoke an emotional response to
increased sensibilities.
•Architecture and light have close relation.
Relationship Between Light And Architecture
IIM , Ahmedabad
Church of light

7. •Natural light keeps changing through times.
•However, architects cannot control natural light,
which from morning to night, day after day changes.
• Its existence gives life to space, modeling the spatial
sensibility.
•Natural light for the space, like the air for life, these
two have symbiotic relationship.
•Natural light into interior design have many positive
effects, including the considerable financial savings in
energy.
•Natural light is considered a beneficial design for
many reasons: human health, comfort and
satisfaction, energy conservation, view.
Natural Light And Architecture
IIM Library , Ahmedabad

8. Light Influence Mood
•The psychological factors should not be
overlooked.
•People need to change perspective in order to
relax the eyes and mood.
•Lack of natural light makes people feel depressed
and tensed
Light Create Atmosphere
•Light creates atmosphere.
•Many factors affect the building atmosphere.
•Natural light is one of the most important factors.
•Architect needs to use light to create a different
order and rhythm change the spatial effect gives
different atmosphere.
Light in bars
Light in conference hall

9. •Lighting within the indoor environment can
be considered to have three basic purposes:
•To enable the occupants to work and move
about in safety.
•To enable tasks to be performed.
•To make the interior look pleasant.
There are two principle ways in which a
building can be lit.
•Naturally - by daylight received from the sky.
•Artificially - by electric lamps or other
artificial light sources.
Lighting
Artificial light on dance stage Natural light through window
Light Highlighting The Wall Pattern

10. •Lighting or illumination is the deliberate use
of light to achieve a practical or aesthetic effect.
•Lighting includes the use of both artificial
light as well as natural illumination by
capturing daylight.
•Daylight as two distinct sources of light:
•Sunlight – That part of solar radiation that
reaches the earth’s surface as parallel rays after
selective attenuation by the atmosphere.
•Skylight – That part of solar radiation that
reaches the earth’s surface as a result of
scattering in the atmosphere.
•Sunlight and skylight may therefore be
considered as the direct and diffuse
components of daylight.
•Day lighting is sometimes used as the main
source of light during daytime in buildings
Natural Lighting-
Lighting At Residence
Lighting At City Centre

11. •Daylight, or the light of day, is the combination
of all direct and indirect sunlight during
the daytime.
•This includes direct sunlight, diffuse sky
radiation and (often) both of these reflected from
the Earth and terrestrial objects.
•Daylight (both sunlight and skylight) is usually
admitted into a building by the means of
windows and skylights.
•The quantity of Daylight obtained within a
room will be dependent upon:
•The quantity of daylight obtained within a room
will be dependent upon the orientation,
geometry and space planning of the spaces to be
lit.
•The location and surface properties of any
internal partitions which may reflect and
distribute the daylight.
•The location, form and dimensions of any
shading devices which will provide protection
from too much light and glare.
Daylight
Daylight in residence
Daylight in residence

12. •In architecture a light well or air shaft is an unroofed
external space provided within the volume of a large
building to allow light and air to reach what would
otherwise be a dark or unventilated area.
•Lightwells may be lined with glazed bricks to
increase the reflection of sunlight within the space
•Lightwells serve to reduce the necessity for electric
lighting, add a central space within the building, and
provide an internal open space for windows to give an
illusion of having a view outside.
•Use of the light well was known in ancient
civilizations, including Egypt and at the Palace
of Knossos on Minoan Crete.
•There are also instances of light well use by
the Romans
Lightwell
Lightwell in living room
Lightwell in lobby

13. Clerestory Windows
•Another important element in creating daylighting is
the use of clerestory windows.
•These are high, vertically placed windows.
•They can be used to increase direct solar gain when
oriented towards the equator.
•When facing toward the sun, clerestories and other
windows may admit unacceptable glare.
•Alternatively, clerestories can be used to admit diffuse
daylight (from the north in the northern hemisphere)
that evenly illuminates a space such as a classroom or
office.
•It also shine onto interior wall surfaces painted white or
another light color.
•These walls are placed so as to reflect indirect light to
interior areas where it is needed.
•This method has the advantage of reducing the
directionality of light to make it softer and more diffuse,
reducing shadows.
Clerestory window in offices
Clerestory window in college

14. Skylights
•Skylights are light transmitting fenestration
(products filling openings in a building
envelope which also includes windows, doors,
etc.) forming all, or a portion of, the roof of a
building space.
•Skylights are widely used in daylighting
design in residential and commercial buildings,
mainly because they are the most effective
source of daylight on a unit area basis.
•An alternative to a skylight is a roof lantern.
•A roof lantern is a daylighting cupola that sits
above a roof, as opposed to a skylight which is
fitted into a roof's construction.
•Roof lanterns serve as both an architectural
feature and a method of introducing natural
light into a space, and are typically wooden or
metal structures with a number of glazed glass
panels.
Cupola
Skylight in Bedroom

15. Atrium
•Atrium is a large open space located within
buildings.
•It is often used to light a central circulation or
public area by daylight admitted through a glass
roof or wall.
• Atrium provides some daylight to adjacent
working areas, but the amount is often small and
does not penetrate very far.
• The main function of an atrium is to provide a
visual experience and a degree of contact with the
outside for people in the working areas.
•The daylighting of successive storeys of rooms
adjoining an atrium is interdependent and
requires a balanced approach.
•Light from the sky can easily penetrate the upper
storeys but not the lower, which rely primarily on
light reflected from internal surfaces of the atrium
such as floor-reflected light.
Atrium in Resturant
Atrium in Shopping Mall

16. Artificial Lighting
•It is made by human. It is very
useful when lack of natural light.
•Types of Artificial lighting-
•General or Ambient lighting
•Accent or Directional lighting
•Traditional or Decorative lighting
•Task lighting
Traditional Or Decorative LightingAmbient Lighting
Accent Lighting
Task Lighting
Traditional or Decorative lighting

17. Source of Artificial Light
Incandescent lamps High intensity
discharge
Fluorescent lamps
Induction lamps
•The natural light that enters a room from
the sky consists of two basic parts. They are
•Direct sunlight (insolation)
•Diffuse skylight.
Source of Natural Light
•Incandescent bulbs
•Halogen bulbs
•Fluorescent bulbs
•Led
Natural Light Through Window

18. Ambient Lighting:
• Ambient Lighting also known as general
lighting. is the most common type of artificial
lighting
•Ambient lighting provides an area with overall
illumination.
• It provides a room with a general glow,
without creating any shadows.
• Typical examples of ambient light fixtures are
chandeliers and wall sconces.
• It radiates a comfortable level of brightness
without glare and allows you to see and walk
about safely.
Ambient Lighting In Car
Ambient Lighting In Residence
Ambient Lighting In Retail Shop

19. Accent Lighting:
• Accent lighting is directional light that
highlights a specific object, an architectural
detail, or other feature.
•Accent lighting adds drama to a room by
creating visual interest.
• This may be a spotlight of any sort or a lamp
with an opaque shade so that the light goes in
a particular direction.
• It can also be used to highlight the texture of
a brick or stone wall, window treatments or
outdoor landscaping.
• Examples of accent lighting are recessed wall
washers and stairwell lights.
Light Highlighting The Furniture DesignLight Highlighting The Paintings
Light Highlighting The Wall Finish

20. Task Lighting
•It is exactly what it says it is - lighting
that's used to help you perform daily
activities .
•Task lighting helps you perform specific
tasks, such as reading, grooming,
preparing and cooking food
•Task lighting should be free of distracting
glare and shadows and should be bright
enough to prevent eye strain.
• Typical examples of task lighting are
under counter slight strips, offices.
Task Lighting in Kitchen
Task Lighting in Office
Task Lighting in Office

21. •In general, adds the decorative luminaries called
for by the architecture/interior design style,
period, motif.
•Is usually expected to contribute to the ambient
illumination.
•In many designs, the decorative lighting will be
the ambient lighting.
•Usually reduces contrast (drama).
Traditional Lighting
Traditional Lighting In Living Room
Traditional Lighting In Entrance
Foyer
Traditional Lighting In Bedroom

22. Natural Light Better Than Artificial Light
•Using as much natural light in interior
spaces as much as possible has many
advantage over using artificial light.
•Artificial light is unable to replace
some effect of natural light.
•Natural produces positive effects, both
physiological and psychological.
•Making good use of natural light cuts
the need of artificial lighting and helps
provide a feeling of well being to our
everyday life.
Artificial light vs Natural light

23. Bibliography:
•Ciro Fontenelle -Lighting_in_architecture
•The Relationship Between Light And Architecture Philosophy Essay
•https://en.wikiarquitectura.com/index.php/Nariwa_Museum
•The Role of Light in Architecture.
•Psychology of light
•https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylighting