Identifying the role of light architecture in attracting public urban activities Statement of research question

Pollution of light is a crucial consequence which can be avoided by elimination of lighting designs which are poor. Floodlights poorly installed and poorly maintained may result in light shining upwards into the sky or shining outwards where it often reflects off moisture and the very fine particulate matter found in the air causing ‘sky glow’ or is not wanted. The humans have been fascinated by the sky and the lighting architecture at night ever since the beginning of history( Stone, et al 2009).

A major concern in the planning of light is to create an atmosphere which can appease attract the public to enhance urban activities if the plan and design is for a public building.

Hypothesis

Planned light offers values of feeling which are highly desired by the public as these feelings seem to imply a friendly, warm ambience and festive environment to the public. In designing and planning for a daylight and artificial light in public buildings in densely populated cities for attracting indoor and outdoor urban activities in day and night in these buildings, space is a major factor in the planning approach. In instances where work is done what is required is objectiveness for instance security is a major concern for whoever enters to hotel room, exalted light is necessary for a foyer, an intimate light is essential in a bar and a sociable light in a restaurant  (Longcore & Rich, 2004).

Consideration of cultural backgrounds is a crucial element in daylight and artificial light system designs planning. Distribution and intensity of light are of major importance in the emotional influence of the public. Shade of light and color, the brilliance of the source of  light and color rendering properties play a critical role in attracting indoor and outdoor urban activities in dense cities.

Framework of Research/ Research Framework

The framework that is proposed presents some theoretical results which state that a good lighting planning greatly helps to accentuate lines, to circumscribe spaces and model surfaces. Well designed light architecture can also emphasize details of the architectural design. Lighting designs assimilate the architect’s design intentions but color, form and materials come out on their own (Cathey & Campbell, 1975).

Architecture not only becomes visible with light but also with daylight and artificial light. Through this, it is possible to relay a certain message and also to pose a desire image. Light has an impact on every aspect of controlling the public in a certain building as its influence can vary. Through light architecture night-time appearances at retail outlets and petrol stations are facilitated and it will highly depend on the design of lighting standard of a particular place of activity. Well drafted light designs would be favorable to businesses at the night time hours.

I dense cities lighting concepts account to a better environment. Urban architecture through lighting can be relayed convincingly. An urban image can be marketed advantageously through special lighting events (Longcore & Rich, 2004).

Proposed methodologySecondary research

This involved collecting research data that existed from various journals, books and the internet to come up with this paper. This was less time consuming and less tasking compared to the time and the amount of input required and was used in the collection of primary data. Early on into the research I noticed most of the information that were obtained through the employment of the secondary means did not yield the exact information that I sought; as most of what I acquired was characterized by irrelevant information. Incomplete information formed bulk of what I collected and was characteristic of having very little information that was relevant to the study. In most instances I collected as much information as was available as only few studies pertaining to the topic at hand were adequately and fully disclosed. Information was in most cases was seemingly not looking genuine or in some cases the information was not timely.

Surveys

Survey is one of the most important study strategies that have popularity in doing this paper. The use of surveys facilitated for the collection of a large amount of data from places within reach. This was to determine the influence daylight and artificial light has in attracting indoor and outdoor urban activities in day and night, especially in the dense cities. The purpose of the survey was to establish and analyze different designs of light that existed in the places nearby.

Observations

The primary technique that was employed for the information gathering process for this paper was observation. In order to know the different types of designs that buildings have employed and find out the influence of these designs on the flow of clients, public or the population to the building. The direct observation of the customers or the public into these public places provided an outstanding approach to the collection of information for this particular project.

Archival work

Factors Affecting Light Architecture

• Colour

Different shades of light can differently influence the effects of color in light architecture. Daylight white light brings out cold color whilst a color that is warm white light brings out warm colors. Light which is shaded alters the color appearance and introduces a dimension which is new to night architecture (Baker, 1990).

• Emotion

In planning of light a major concern has been the creation of an atmosphere. In light architecture cultural backgrounds are considered in order to ensure that the emotional attachment of certain lighting is taken into consideration.

• Visibility

Visibility is not only about the strength of illumination, but also the special distribution of the color and intensity of light (Baker, 1990).

Lighting designs require a lot of consideration on the amount of light provided for a particular function, the energy consumed and also the aesthetic effect of that particular system of light. Public buildings e.g. warehouses and office buildings are majorly concerned with energy efficiency lighting systems for them to minimize costs of operation. On the other hand big business premises such as malls, theatres and casinos are majorly concerned with enhancing and promoting their appearance and creating an emotional impact via systems of lighting architecture. It is crucial therefore that the science of luminaire photometrics and light production are balanced artistically by use of light as a medium in all aspects of the environment.

Technology has seen the development of buildings with LED systems; most of these buildings feature digital displays also known as dynamic facades which illuminate the entire building during the night. This new technological development requires specific regulation from the responsible authorities given the obtrusive characteristic of the large buildings (Baker, 1990).

Field work/project development

In coming up with the results of this paper 32 public and private buildings were studied.  The buildings are all located in an urban city which is dense. In all these buildings these was witnessed different light architectural designs which suited the needs of these buildings.

Among these 16 were public or government buildings. These buildings were characterized by light designs which were less complicated and energy efficient. On the other hand the 16 other buildings which were majorly business premises had ‘extravagant’ light designs which served the purpose of retaining and attracting customers into the premise.

Time frame/schedule