AN EXPERIENCE CENTER

An Experience center

Light as emphasis on built form

SIMRAN KAUR

15251AA03

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1. Thesis abstract
1.1. AN OVERVIEW
1.2. NEED AND RELEVANCE
1.3. AIM
1.4. OBJECTIVE
1.5. SCOPE
1.6. LIMITATIONS
1.7. METHODOLOGY

Chapter 2: Literature study

2. BACKGROUND STUDY
2.1. TOPIC RESEARCH
2.2.

Chapter 3: Case study

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THESIS INTRODUCTION

This chapter in built around the thesis research

comprising of the introduction, research question ,
the thesis proposition, the selected design project
and how it will exemplify the search.

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INTRODUCTION

“The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.”

Le Corbusier – Architect

“We are born of light. The seasons are felt through light. We only know the world as it is evoked by light.”

Louis Kahn – Architect

This thesis would explore the use of natural light in the era of electricity to show that it not only remained as a
potential source of order in architecture, but imposes a creative discipline on design. The thesis would develop a new
perception of light to alter and enhance the atmosphere and environment of an existing building.

The perception of space is directly connected to the way light interacts with it. What we see, what we experience and
how we interpret the elements, is affected by how light interacts with us and the environment.

As natural light passes through a space highlighting different materials, our understanding of that space is
transformed. The light changes the way we perceive the quality of a material. As a result of the fact that the sun is
always moving and that the interaction between light and material is constantly changing, a lifeless surrounding can
become animated. In both nature and in built environments, these precious moments are more often accidental
events: they are seldom the result of an intentional design scheme.

Architecture is greatly impacted by the presence of light, directly or indirectly.

As natural light passes through a space highlighting different materials, our understanding of that space is
transformed. The light changes the way we perceive the quality of a material. As a result of the fact that the sun is
always moving and that the interaction between light and material is constantly changing, a lifeless surrounding can
become animated. In both nature and in built environments, these precious moments are more often accidental
events: they are seldom the result of an intentional design scheme.
This thesis seeks to explore, through design the characteristics of light and its effects on perception of space and how
architects can enhance/emphasize characteristics of space in the built form through natural light and the architectural
promenade.

The study will focus on examining the nature of light and play in spatial envelopes within the built environment. Only
by considering the meaning and nature of play and human movement can we understand how it can be best
accommodated.

Experience center can provide great insight into the ways humans move with control, and make decisions, within the
built environment.

From public zone to the heart of the center, the design provides a stage for human movement through spaces and
their reactions to different play of light.

Lighting plays a vital role in the way people experience and understand architecture. Whether buildings and
structures are lit naturally or artificially, lighting is the medium that allows us to see and appreciate the beauty in the
buildings around us

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Lighting can bring an emotional value to architecture – it helps create an experience for those who occupy the space.
Without lighting, where would architecture be? Would it still have the same impact? No, it wouldn’t. Whether it’s
daylighting or artificial lighting, light draws attention to textures, colors, and forms of a space, helping architecture
achieve its true purpose. Vision is the single most important sense through which we enjoy architecture, and lighting
enhances the way we perceive architecture even more.
To create a successful balance between lighting and architecture, it’s important to remember three key aspects of
architectural lighting: (1) aesthetic, (2) function, and (3) efficiency. Aesthetic is where designers and architects focus
on the emotional impact the balance of lighting and architecture will have on occupants. It’s where designers
determine how they want people to feel when they walk around a space.
The second aspect, function, cannot be overlooked. We want the lighting to look a certain way, but we have to also
make sure it serves its most important purpose – to help us see. Areas should be illuminated so occupants feel safe
when navigating a room or entire building. They should be able to see the floor and walls around them, which should
create a feeling of reassurance.
The final aspect is very important in today’s age of green building and sustainability movements. It’s one thing to
create a breathtaking lighting layout, but it’s another to create a breathtaking layout that is also incredibly energy
efficient. This can be done by assuring the majority of the light is reaching its target and there is less wasted light.
Reducing the amount of wasted light will make the building more efficient.
The importance of architecture as a trigger to physical, physiological and psychological wellbeing is nowadays
becoming a topic of significant relevance

Need identification

Throughout the history of built forms we have observed the use and need of natural light in the core understanding

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and designing of a space. With commercialization and increase in the use of artificial light, there has been significant
increase in health problems like insomnia, depression, sick building syndrome etc; an experience center of this sorts
would help people to see good effects of natural light by creating awareness.

With the increasing no. of architecture colleges coming up every year, no of students passing out with a degree has
increased. Each of these students require to study effects of light in built form throughout their course directly or
indirectly. An experience center would be a place where new architects could come, study and observe the
characteristics of light and its effects on perception of space and psychology of the people in it.

Standard museums and visitors centers have gained miserable reputation. They are boring, run down and empty. In
the modern information age of smartphones and internet- they have been left behind. They have relied heavily on two
ways of communication.didactic information and recreation. The focus should shift from literal recreation to artistic
interpretation. An experience center can be formed into deliberately designed destination.

Thesis proposition

Aim To design a water experience center which would also showcase and educate people about
water

Objective
Research objective
To study fundamentals of light, Light and architecture, daylight, light and its effects of spaces, light and human
psychology, study of buildings designed with light at building material,
Architectural objective
The objective of this study is to understand the effects of light on the perception of interior spaces and to compare
different light in order to understand their effects on interior space perception.
To study

Objectives 1. To make an iconic structure which could justify and embrace the beauty of water. 2.
Provide an infrastructure where people experience deep connect with water and realize its value in
our existence. 3. To provide variety of experiences of natural phenomenon‘s and properties of water.
4. To design a museum that could showcase local water history and its conservation. Also water

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science, its hazards and conservation in a very innovative way. 5. To set up a divine journey that
takes us closer to water experience in an unconventional way

Aim
To design an experience center to bridge the gap between architecture and society.

OBJECTIVES

To study and understand the effect of natural light and its impact on human and architecture to design build forms
which enlightens people's inner self and enhances… through experience of light through spaces.
Need
It is important to understand and know the effects of colored lighting on interior space perception because this
knowledge would contribute to lighting design of interior space.

SCOPE

LIMITATIONS

METHODOLOGY

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Literature study

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Light and architecture

What is light
Light is a form of energy that can be transmitted from one point to another at a finite speed. Light is special kind of
electromagnetic energy which can be thought of as both a particle and wave, so called particle-wave duality. Lower
energy lights act predominately like a wave and high energy light acts predominately like a particle.

Visible light is an electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye and is responsible for the sense of sight

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Invisible spectrum- infrared rays, ultraviolet rays, X-rays, Gamma rays

How is light produced

Source of natural light

The main source of light on Earth is the Sun.

Properties of light
Reflection
When an object or wave bounces back off a surface. Smooth surface reflect in equal angle and in one
direction whereas rough surfaces reflects in all directions and scatters.
Light objects reflects all light whereas dark object absorbs all light and reflects none. Transparent objects let
in light.

Color of object is color it reflects.

E.g. Orange is orange because it absorbs every color except orange, instead it reflects and if you dont shine
orange light on it, it will appear grey.

Refraction
Bending of light wave due to a change in speed when it passes through a medium.

As the speed of light is reduced in the slower medium, the wavelength is shortened proportionately. The
frequency is unchanged, it is a characteristic of the source of the light and unaffected by the medium
changes.

Dispersion
The fact that refractive indices differ for each wavelength a light produces an effect called dispersion. This
can be seen by shining a beam of white light into a triangular prism made of glass.

Absorption
When the light enters a transparent material some of its energy is dissipated as head energy, and it thus
loses some of its intensity. When this absorption of energy occurs selectively for different wavelengths of
light, the light that gets transmitted through this material will show only those wavelengths of light that are
not absorbed, the transmitted wavelength will then be as color, called the absorption color of the material.

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Polarization
The process or phenomenon in which the waves of light or other electromagnetic radiation are restricted to
certain directions of vibration, usually specified in terms of electric field vector.

LIGTH AND ARCHITECTURE

 Light is the soul of architectural design.
 Light allows us to see and appreciate architecture.
 Light allows us to define the changing perception of the things ore the bodies on which it impacts, and the
space that contains them.
 Light, or absence of light can also transform the space in each season, each day of the year, each hour of
the day and moment.
 Light brings more harmony between exterior and interior, nature and human.
 Light with color can make space more dynamic and beautiful.
 Light can transform he social context, creating agreeable and disagreeable, sublime or mysterious
sensations, can enlarge a space or make it smaller or highlight aspect in space that interests us.

Why is daylight is preferred over artificial light?

 People prefer to work in daylight and choose to locate close to a window. Nature is essential in providing a
pleasant visual environment, contributing to a feeling of wellbeing and improved productivity.
 Natural light adds to a sense of spaciousness to a room, by making it look bigger. Spaciousness is thought
to give feeling of openness produced primarily through b=visual perception of a space.
 The presence of natural light can bring can bring a sense of well being

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CASE STUDIES

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This chapter includes the case studies and

case examples which help understand the
project, scale and the typology.

National gallery of Greenland

Location : Nuuk, Greenland
Size: 3000 sqm

Architecture
The slope opens up the sculpture garden towards the city and the view, framing both the sculpture garden
and museum function.
A rough looking external facade of white concrete will patina over time and adjust to the local weather,
while the circular inner glass facade consists of a simple and refined frame which contrasts the rough
nature and compliments the beautiful view.

Design concept:
The proposed national gallery is both physically and visually in harmony with the dramatic nature, just like
life in Greenland it symbolizes of the nature.

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Exhibition space Exhibition space courtyard

As a projection of a geometrically perfect circle on to the steep

slope, the new gallery is conceived as a courtyard building that
combines a pure geometric layout with a sensitive adaption to the
landscape.
The three dimensional imprint of the landscape creates a protective
ring around the gallery's focal point, the sculpture garden where
visitors, personnel, exhibition merge with culture and nature inside
and outside.

Schematic diagram: from the top

1. Geometric circle superimposed in the landscape.
2. Form follows the topography
3. Views
4. Circular organization
5. Workshop and storage all side functions are concentrated in
the central core
6. Circulation – a ramp and a staircase form a coherent cycle
through arrival mezzanine and auditorium to exhibition

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FULLDOME EXPERIENCE CENTE

Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Building Area: 3 500 m2

is an innovative place that provides a unique experience, creates new opportunities for
education and entertainment, and embodies a one-of-a-kind attraction for tourists and family
relaxation.

Site area 2 700 m2 (29 060 ft2)

Total building area 3 500 m2 (37 670 ft2)
Building height 34.6 m (113.5 ft)
Structural material steel and reinforced concrete
Number of floors 4
Dome seating capacity 300 people
Dome diameter 22 m (72 ft)

ZONES
Souvenir shop 80 m2 (861 ft2)

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Cafeteria 1 (with street entrance) 118 m2 (1 270 ft2)

Cafeteria 2 (inside of the building) 98 m2 (1 055 ft2)
Conference room 80 m2 (861 ft2)
Exhibition/experience zone 579 m2 (6 232 ft2)
Entrance lobby (gallery/exhibition area) 417 m2 (4 489 ft2)
Interactive play/educational zone 140 m2 (1 507 ft2)
Open amphitheatre seating capacity around 100 people

With a seating capacity of 300 at its core, the Fulldome Experience Center, designed by
FORMA, gives visitors a dynamic interactive space carrying both scientific and educational
functions. It includes installations, exhibitions and game zones as well as a cafeteria, gift shop
and conference room for the visitors’ comfort and versatility of the building. More images and
architects’ description after the break.
The design required a minimum building area releasing additional space for public zones. Such
a solution contributes to the emergence of new scenarios in the open air. Concerts, street plays,
public speeches and lectures prove that the multifunctional Fulldome Experience Center can
become the heart of the city’s cultural life, and even of the whole country.

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H3 Experience Center
Area: 994 m²
Isabel Flooring is an established flooring specialist in China. H3 is their foray into other wood products
such as timber doors and built-in furniture's. This design exercise will attempt to portray H3 as “The
Wood Specialist” and set a store identity for the brand's countrywide expansion.
To create a new kind of shopping experience for the consumers in a highly competitive building materials
market. To create a strong and memorable store identity with maximum visual impact. To portray the
brand's effort in it's constant push for sustainable process and products. To capitalize on Isabel's success
in laminate flooring
To create H3's image as “The Wood Specialist”, the storefront is composed of 5 different types of wood
structure interlocking together in a multi-layered and articulated manner.
To portray H3's support for the environment, all the wood on the facade are reused pinewood which is
readily available in the local area.
To take advantage of the parent brand's heritage in laminated flooring, the design used the product to
“lead” customers into the other new products. A brand new “Ribbon” system of flooring sample
presentation is created which brings customers from one zone to another.
With the “Ribbon” system, customers are led from one zone to another, allowing them to move in a
structured yet open manner, guiding them , yet not restricting them.
The sample zones are created to allow customers to see how the different products can be matched to
form different harmonious living environments to help customers solve common design dilemmas.

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PROGRAMME

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Spaces no of users Area sq.m Lux level –minimum

required
Administration
Reception Capacity 8-10 people 15-20 1000(500)
Waiting 1 30-35 400(150)
Information center - 20-30 200
Entrance foyer 1 450-500 250
In-charges cabin As per conditions (10 20-25 500(250)
people)
Discussion area 30-35 500(250)

Exhibition spaces for paintings

Small scale: 100-150 350-400
Large scale: 450-500 2500-4000 400(200)

Exhibition spaces for sculptures

Small scale-large scale Small scale: 100-150 350-400
(based on capacity of Large scale: 250-300 2500-3000 1000(500)
artwork to exhibit)

Connecting foyers
Informal gathering 30-40 - -
(transitional spaces)

Public spaces
Open- semi open – 100-150 350-400 350-400
covered as per
immediate need

Cafeteria
Public recreational 50-60 150-200 150-200
space

Circulation spaces
Outdoor movement 20-25 20% of overall build 500(250)
mass

Utility spaces
Washrooms 5-7 60 200
Restrooms 1-2 10-15 150
Store rooms Capacity as per scale 450-500 200
of the space

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Parking
Vehicular capacity 2 wheeler-160 335 150
4 wheeler-60 2340

Total build up area – 8300 sqm

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