Abstract:
Being such an intangible and elusive element to design with, light plays an important part in illuminating not only our day to day lives but our architecture too. How can natural and artificial light sources be combined, manipulated and then represented to create evocative and atmospheric architectural spaces? It is rare to see both natural and artificial light communicating together, and where atmosphere is concerned, Steven Holl explores the relationship between both sources in a thorough and dynamic form. Supported by his background of phenomenology and the golden ratio, Holl has honed a methodology of designing from the inside out. Where the exterior of a building and its incorporation within the wider urban fabric has become important, what happens to the interior and the relationship between the cultural and human experience? Through watercolours Holl examines interior atmospheres and how light can inspire users to explore the building to provide an ‘enmeshed experience’ and enhance movement. The paintings allow Holl to define shadows and design with light, and with the structures existing Above, On, In and Below the ground, this forms his quadripartite relationship with the landscape. The spaces in between become thresholds and saturation, opacity and washes of colour change within the paintings depending on the location of these atmospheres. Constitution Hill becomes an ideal site to explore the quadripartite elements, and by using a Contemporary Art Gallery as a vehicle to explore and represent the levels of natural and artificial light already existing on site, embedding the structures allows for a dynamic exploration of both pedestrian movement and building movement, where light sources can coexist and be represented in a complementary and informative relationship.