Shaping Daylight Through Simulation and Virtual Reality
In this course, we explore the quantities and qualities of light. We will study how we can design with and for light while understanding the paradox of lighting design — that it is both science and art. Digital design and simulation tools will be augmented with virtual reality (VR) to extend quantitative measurements of lighting to include qualitative aspects of light such as its influence on occupants’ subjective impressions of a space, wellbeing and comfort.
Illustration of participant perception in an immersive VR headset (Azadeh Sawyer research).
Light is one of the critical aspects of valued architectural spaces, influencing ambiance, the overall atmosphere and occupant perception, whether positively or negatively. In this course, we explore the quantities and qualities of light. We will study how we can design with and for light while understanding the paradox of lighting design — that it is both science and art. Digital design and simulation tools will be augmented with virtual reality (VR) to extend quantitative measurements of lighting to include qualitative aspects of light such as its influence on occupants’ subjective impressions of a space, wellbeing and comfort.