Light

Understanding Form and Order

As an architect understanding the form and order of a structure is critical. In this project we were tasked with creating a non-denominational chapel (a chapel that allows all religions) on Farmingdale State College Campus. We were tasked with choosing the location, and orienting the structure towards the sun to allow for natural light into the structure. Along with this none of light that enters the three chapels can be direct and must be refracted and reflected creating a "holy" and "spiritual" feel to the area. To aid us in this process we took inspiration from several architects and structures that have been built in the past.

Light Background Reasearch

Steven Holl's Chapel of St. Ignatius
Location: Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, USA

Steven Holl created the Chapel of St. Ignatius as a Jesuit, Catholic church. It contains several light volumes each corresponding to a program of Jesuit Catholic worship. Holl uses several methods to capture light in this project, included are curved walls, small narrow windows, baffles, and protrusions.

This picture shows the back and middle of the worship space. Evident are the curved walls, protrusions and narrow windows, allowing for no direct natural light but rather a radiance from behind protrusions out of the wall.

Note light emitting from the sides of the protrusion and the light directed through narrow slits from within and along the protrusion.

In this photo of the front of the worship place we one again see the same methods as the previous photo. However on this side of the church the protrusion is not angled at the bottom but rather has an opening for indirect light.

Note the top right of the protrusion and how the light radiates from the opening. Along with this note the light on the bottom and left of the protrusion. Finally note the light along the curve of the roof.

Common throughout Holl's design is the use of curved walls, almost turning into the ceiling. Behind the wall is once again a window that reflects light onto the back. Uniquely at this wall the light extend almost down to head height and creates an upside down U shape of reflected light allowing for near constant indirect light.

Shown here are the original floor plans with the listed light areas along with sections and elevations of the building.

Note the unique curves along with the partitions blocking out direct sunlight to most of the floors.