In this class Prof. Mallory-Hill lectured us on the uses of light in architecture. I really enjoyed her lecture. She really succeeded in slowly intoducing the subject on a broad scale, and then introducing more specific topics. I liked her use of a timeline in explaining the evolution of light in the built environment.
Humans have been tied to designing shelters based on the availability of natural daylight. From the design to positioning of structures, the sun has been a dominant factor, dating back to pre-history. My reaction to that section of the lecture is that with the invention of the electric light, we drifted away from integrating natural light into building design, and we regret it. Just as the industrial revolution succeded so immensly due to the excitment convenience, designers seemed to enjoy the freedom of control over interior lighting. However, we took it too far, and discovered that natural is the way to go. Now we are retracing our steps, and bringing the sun back inside!
In relation to the effects of artificial lighting, I was most effected by Prof. Hill's address to the importance of darkness. It is shocking how much we are blindly effected by everyday aspects of life. Most people would never consider that turning on a light in the middle of the night can potentially cause health problems- specifically interference with our nervous and metabolic levels, or Circadian Rythyms. The night light being quite a bit dimmer has an added value in my books!
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