site analysis and funeral process

Lakewood Cemetery Garden Mausoleum by HGA Architects and Engineers, Minn...

Zenith light and oculus---Religious buildings（ancient）

          

Louis Kahn said that all spaces need natural light.When natural light into a building,normally through skylights ,it is known as zenithal light .When the skylight is circle and at the  highest of a building it is called an oculus. This opening way can absorb more light than normal window during whole day,because of this has a good position (Verges,2007). Zenith light has dramatic effect and easy to use,so it is often use in churches and temples such as pantheon in Rome.The light of pantheon is classic in the world, and the light of the Pantheon inspired Le Corbusier.

 source:http://www.zhongchengzixun.com/news_detail/newsId=fbb025f7-ac9d-4702-bb6a-7108850651f9&comp_stats=comp-FrontNews_list01-001.html

source: http://vr.theatre.ntu.edu.tw/fineart/architect-wt/roman/pantheon.htm

Pantheon give us such an impressive interior.There is a 43 meter dome,light enter inside through a oculus 9 meters in diameter.

source:http://luning0815.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/%E5%86%AC%E6%B8%B8%E6%84%8F%E5%A4%A7%E5%88%A9-%E4%B9%8B%E4%B8%89-%E5%8F%A4%E7%BD%97%E9%A9%AC%E9%81%97%E8%BF%B9/

 There are no materials covered in oculus so the rain and snow can get in.Natural light into interior space through the oculus, people can experience full of mystery of heaven.

 Why zenith light often use in Religious buildings，like temples and churches?
 Because the zenithal light expression of spiritual light of God.

Interior of Pantheon is a single space, but it is very complete and full of  harmony.Accordance to the prevailing concept ,the dome symbolizes Sky and  Contact symbolizes God's world and the human world(Plumer,2009).The natural light from the east to illuminate the interior space, in this way,the light give people a quiet atmosphere and ambiance.

Hagia Sophia is anther example about zenith light.

source:http://www.nationalturk.com/en/what-are-the-secrets-of-hagia-sophia-mentioned-in-dan-browns-latest-novel-inferno-istanbul-news-38003

          

Because Hagia Sophia has diverse entries of light into the domes,the interior space has richness light .Interior space is rich and varied which under the dome, between the pillars, connecting the every space around .The bottom of the dome has 40 windows, when light into the space through the windows in the dome.The interior dome looks like floating in the air.

References:

PLUMMER,H,.2009.The architecture of natural light.London:Thames and Hudson Ltd.

VERGES,M,.2007.Light in architecture. UE: Tectum Publishers .

Church of the light --Religious buildings(Modern)

source:http://www.ronenbekerman.com/making-of-church-of-the-light/

Normally light is used to show religious symbolism in the religious buildings.Light highlights a piece of architecture, a sculpture, or a sacred decoration.In the same time,Light connects a person to nature when the path of the sun can be seen, the Church of the Light is a good example (Bennett,2008).

This is a very small church, which is about 112 square meters, when people in this space, you can feel it exudes a sacred and solemn, concrete creating a dark space.People feel scared where they get in .The precise openings in this space, enhance the bright of light against  darkness.

source: http://tupian.baike.com/a4_51_05_01300000538038125412055874954_jpg.html


The only place to remove the fear is light cross in the wall, which giving a strong tension in the interior space, and it has brought light and hope. Under this comparison, the light has a strong appeal to the people and stimulate people's emotions.

 source：http://www.archdaily.com/101260/

Visual effects transformed into a spiritual insights, cross dividing walls to produce a special light, the followers created a feeling close to God.

source：http://www.archdaily.com/101260/

 As the day goes on the pattern of light and changing sun angles. The crack in the wall allow for small amount of view to the outside vegetation ,but the light throughout the day references man's connection with nature (Bennett,2008).

The relationship between the church and the light, the light is playing an active role which into the inside space in different time. The church played a passive role,just in this site. There is no space and forms of traditional religious architecture.

References:
BENNETT,K.,M.,2008.Light in architecture:natural and artificial lighting [online].Available at:
http://content.lib.utah.edu/utils/getfile/collection/etd2/id/806/filename/1503.pdf.[Accessed 05 December 2013].

PLUMMER,H,.2009.The architecture of natural light.London:Thames and Hudson Ltd.

Space will be influenced by light

Light plays a key role in the design of a visual environment,it has some influenced in architecture.
In the first place,light defines spaces and boundaries.

source: http://www.thecoolhunter.net/cloud/view/Office
In the same space,light as the tool to boundaries space.For example in  above pictures, the extra lights help people recognize each zones.

In the second place,light accentuates and connects space.

The pantheon in Roman

The church of light 

         

Stone museum in Korea

In the third place,light is a visual task,providing enough light to recognize a
black space  or to be able to walk safely through a corridor.

Skylight staircase to gallery

                        Kunsthaus Bregenz,Austria

source:http://www.archdaily.com/457319/loft-mm-c-t-architects/

Lastly, light creates atmosphere.Different types of light can give people different feeling.Natural light projection and reflecting  in the space,not only the spatial variation of visual expression, but also create the emotion of space (Plummer,2009).Such as mysterious,

Chapel of St lgnatius

Ronchamp Chapel

holy,

Light of church

Silence

St Benedictusberg Abbey

Row house in sumiyoshi

Stone museum in Korea

References:

GINTHNER,D.,Lighting: Its Effect on People and Spaces [online].University of Minnesota.Available at:http://www.informedesign.org/_news/feb_v02-p.pdf [Accessed 13 December2013].

PLUMMER,H,.2009.The architecture of natural light.London:Thames and Hudson Ltd.

The shape of light

Different shape of light creates different atmosphere , people will experience different feeling from the architecture .I select some typical shape of light to explain .

Point light 


Point light gives people the expression of freedom and vivid.

lSan Francisco Contemporary Jewish Museum

The material of transparent is added to the wall, forming the light points,in this way ,the elevation looks not massive.

                                      Line light

Männistö church ,Finland

 Vertical lines guide the visual of people,and make the building high than others(Camrri,1998).


                                      Oblique light 

Jewish museum， Berlin

 Oblique light gives  more flexible direction than vertical line .Line-up light gives a positive beauty,and  line- down light gives the sense of down  .

                                    Light gap 

Church of light ,Japan

Planar light 

Pantheon,Roman

References:

CAMRRI,A.,and COGLIO,A.,1998.An architecture for emotional agents.USA:IEEE computer society.

PLUMMER,H,.2009.The architecture of natural light.London:Thames and Hudson Ltd.