Natural Lighting

Techniques in
Architecture

Kavit, Bhatia, Section B, 3rd Year, SSAA. 160BARCHI085

2019
 I. AIM:

The aim of this research is to study the working of existing techniques of day
lighting which at the same time would also enhance our creativity to innovate
new methods of day lighting for the interior spaces of residential buildings.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. To learn to design the structure or to place the walls and windows in such a way that the
maximum amount of light is able to penetrate to the interiors.
2. To analyze the importance of diffused lightning and translucency.
3.To analyze the case studies of the buildings designed by Architect Frank Lloyd Wright as he used
light as an important element in a smart and sensible way.
4. To study the various type of fenestration pattern their advantages and disadvantages.
5. To study the types and working and placement of skylights, interior atrium, lightwells etc.
6. To study the types and working and placement of transom windows, clerestory windows light
tubes etc.
7. To motivate designers to smartly use the natural day light in residential houses.

III. LIST OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER-1

INTRODUCTION TO DAYLIGHTING SYSTEM

• What is natural lighting in architecture
• Sources of daylighting
• Importance of natural light
• Terminology related to daylighting
• The basic principles of effective daylight design

CHAPTER-2
METHODS OF DAYLIGHTING
• Analysis of architectural designing techniques for efficient day lighting in a building
• Understanding the techniques and methods used for daylighting
• Various components of daylighting
• Studying the internal and external elements
• Optimum window height and location
• Analyses and comparison of different types of fenestration patterns and their working.
 • A basic understanding of overhead daylighting like interior atriums, skylights, monitor lightning, saw
tooth lightning, clerestory windows etc.
• Analyses and comparison of different types of skylights and their working.
• Studying the working of various daylighting components using plans and sections.

CHAPTER -3
STUDING EXISTING WORKS
• Daylighting techniques used in buildings by louis khan.
• Works of modern architects and the impact of daylighting on their design.

CHAPTER -4
CONCLUSION

IV. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS:

1. Scope

The scope of this research is to explore the various different ways and techniques to disperse and
reflect light to the interior spaces which have no access to direct sunlight.
This research deals with the various ways of capturing the light falling on the surface of the building
and transferring it to the spaces where it’s needed.
This research deals with basic, old school day lightning techniques, their benefits and importance in
making a building more sustainable.
This research only emphasizes on day light and natural lightning techniques through various
openings on the surface of the building and maximizing their effect by reflection and distribution.

2. Limitations

The research is only limited to the techniques used in small scale residential housing.
 The research does not specify the details of how the intensity of natural lighting change with
change in geographic location of the site as there are lots of alterations with change in location
and studying them would be large topic itself.
Technologically advanced features that are used to control the amount of light entering the
building like louvers, electrochromic windows etc. have not been discussed as the scope of this
research is only limited to the old school and contemporary techniques.
Thermal effects due to day lighting have been discussed as that would be a very vast topic itself.
This is not an analysis of how much light is falling on the surface and how much is reflected.
Terms like luminous intensity, candela, lumen, lux etc. have not been discussed or used because
that would be going into the scientific and mathematical calculations related to light.

V. LITERATURE REVIEW

Literature review -1

‘Light in architecture’ by Mireia Verges discusses about the various ways in which light influences
our perception of architectural elements. Spaces can be highlighted using light. Light influences our
perception to an extent that our character and mood can vary according to the amount and type of
light in our environment.
This book covers many aspects of lighting in architecture, but the present work is only focusing on
the day lighting or natural lighting techniques. The whole experience might vary depending upon the
light.
From ancient times people have been using openings in their accommodation spaces. However with
advancement in time and technology people started depending more on artificial lightning
techniques. But as the resources are depleting and the power demand is increasing. Designers have
again shifted their focus on natural lighting techniques as it is more efficient and reduces the overall
power consumption. The sun changes its intensity throughout the day. The light intensity is different
at different places and also is varies at different places around the earth. So it is important to plan
the lightning keeping the location, direction and the season in which the building would be majorly
used keeping in mind.
This book covers different aspects of natural light from pg.15 to pg.146.
Light passes through different mediums differently. The types of materials which are described very
well with examples in this book are transparent and translucent materials.
Transparent materials are those through which the light can pass without any
distortion or without any reflection. Light fully transmits through a transparent surface. In our
common knowledge we know glass is the most common transparent material, however this book
mentions other transparent materials used in architecture like plastics such as methacrylate. Also
certain studies have been mentioned in this book which will support me in my research as to how to
plan building and what elements to provide to get maximum amount of natural light and to
effectively place them. Natural lighting techniques used in House in High Gate in London, New
Trade Fair Miland in Italy, Villa Moda in Kuwait City, etc. have been briefly discussed.
All this general information about materials, patterns of sunlight and these case studies will help me
in better understanding of how to utilize maximum light effectively and efficiently and in getting a
proper understanding of designing various fenestration patterns according to the aesthetics and
lightning requirements. However this book majorly discusses large scale buildings and techniques
used in small scale/residential buildings have not been mentioned.

Literature Review -2

Designing with light the creative touch, this book mainly discusses about the interior lighting. We
could learn how lighting can be used for visually sculpting elements. This book refers to the artistic
and abstractive way of using light and how it can be used vary our moods and emotions. Natural
light keeps on changing with time and the author describes it as light being poetic or narrating a
story. Light can be used to enhance the functioning of a space. Light can also be used to show case
or highlight certain elements. Backgrounds and foregrounds could be formed using light. The author
believes the light and spirituality go together. While designing new buildings lighting elements
should be properly planned as according to the author light belongs to the heart and to the spirit. He
believes that it is a natural human tendency to follow light. It is also true to a certain extent as
windows materials, textures and colors brings out the character and tradition of buildings. In this
book the author has given various examples of merging natural light and artificial light to create a
soothing and pleasant environment for interiors. An emphasis on skylight, recessed down lights,
accent lights, bay windows, clerestory windows have been given. Also we get to know about layering
of light, like how light from two sources can overlap to a rich effect.

VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bean, R. (2014). Lighting: Interior and Exterior. Routledge
Baker, N., Fanchiotti, A. and Steemers, K. (2013). Daylighting in architecture.
Kahn, L. and Büttiker, U. (1994). Louis I. Kahn. New York, NY: Whitney Library of Design.
Verges, M. (2007). Light in architecture. Antwerpen: Tectum.

VII. DATA COLLECTION

WHAT IS NATURAL LIGHT AND IT’S IMPORTANCE.

Daylighting is the practice of placing windows, skylights, other openings, and reflective surfaces so that sunlight (direct
or indirect) can provide effective internal lighting.

• HOW TO BORROW NATURAL LIGHT

• HOW TO MAXIMISE NATURAL LIGHTS IN YOUR HOME
• Daylighting components
CONDUCTION COMPONENTS
How to guide and distribute light towards interior space.
Pass through components
They are devices designed to allow light to pass from one light environment to another.
Linking conduction components and pass through components to obtain a variety of combinations.
A variety of combination coponents can be established
In this chapter these combinations and components will be discussed.
Each pass through element can incorporate various control elements.
Window is the most common pass through component

Types of Skylight
FIXED SKYLIGHT
VENTILATED SKYLIGHT
TUBULAR SKYLIGHT
CUSTOM SKYLIGHT
PYRAMID SKYLIGHT
DOME SHAPED SKYLIGHT
BARREL VAULT SKYLIGHT
CURB MOUNTED SKYLIGHTS
RIDGE SKYLIGHT
TYPES OF WINDOWS

REDIRECTING LIGHT, LIGHT SHELVES, BAFFLES.