Architecture and sun – light and shadow

Sun and sunlight play vital role in our lives, earth’s movement around the Sun governs our planet and our bodies. As architects we implement this in our design by acknowledging beauty of Architecture and Sun. In hot areas like ours, we design to provide comfort from solar heat. Spatially an architect should plan activities to create an eco-friendly and energy efficient design. This could be done by solar analysis of building, using solar power, optimizing fenestration for the direction etc. A part of the process of building design is interplay of Architecture and Sun. Here we talk about impact of light and shadow on building spaces and facade’ design.

Other than spatial planning there are ways to get more from our daily visitor’s rays. The play of light and shadow through perforations like pergolas, jali (screens), lattices, and trees is exploration of Architecture and Sun. In a small house a skylight with patterned frame serves the purpose. On form oriented buildings, geometric pergolas casting shadows on plain facades creates interest. The change in size and intensity of shadows with movement of Sun creates dynamic spaces. The shadows dance on otherwise static and lifeless walls. Many architects have explored this dimension in Minimalist Architecture Design.

RHYTHMIC SHADOWS CREATING PERSPECTIVE

OBJECTS AND SHADOWS

At PAA, we are experimenting and finding our ways to work with this parameter. So far we have introduced skylights in dark areas of residences, making people look up for light. Pergolas, especially cantilevered pergolas interest us, floating midair they create rhythmic lines of shadows and light penetrating through glass facades into the houses. One of our façade designs explores bricks at angles to create textured surface. We look forward to work with brick Jali, massive screens or a Temple of Architecture and Sun!SKYLIGHT

PERGOLA ON CIRCULAR FORM

CEMENT JALI IN PERGOLA

Let there be light!