Lighting Analysis Architectural Technology 2Joe Walker

Aims:

An evenly lit space with even reflected light from above to create a comfort-able atmosphere for viewing paintings. The focus of the light should be on the walls as opposed to the centre of the space, so that the user does not have to strain their eyes through glare to see displays clearly. The gallery is intended to be inward looking, views are offered in other spaces in the scheme, so there should be a very limited visual connection with the outdoors environment. The light shelf is intended to help limit this connection as well as to direct light to-wards the art works. It also would be adjustable so that the environment can be adjusted to suit different times of year, different weather conditions and different types of exhibition. However I will only test one appropriate position of the shelf digitally.

There should be a fairly neutral feel in the room with the walls intended for exhibiting work having a matte finish to reduce glare, the surfaces intended to reflect light should be of a similar tone but with a glossy finish. The floors will be consturcted of a wood that absorbs some light to give the space a soft, natural and warm feel.

The space should function as a platform for viewing work hung on the walls and as a comfortable route through the gallery. The lux levels should range from a minimum of 150lux, and a maximum of 600lux, but be fairly consistant at any given time.

Initial Design Ideas tested through physical model:

Tested with an ouside environment of about 5000 lux (typical overcast day in wales, the average daylight factor inside the gallery space was 1.8%, which would be about 120lux on an average day

The results of initial testing with the physical model show that a different aproach for the light shelf and roof is needed, as ambient light does not fall into the space evenly and over-all daylight factors are not as high as I would like for my design. I will develop the section of this gallery space through digital design as it is much quickker to establish a sucessful arangement.

Artificially lit, night time scene:

Lighting Analysis Architectural Technology 2Joe Walker

Redesigned space:

December 21st:

March 21st:

June 21st:

9am

9am

9am

4pm

4pm

4pm

12noon

12noon

12noon

This design is now modeled using the Kimble Museum by Louis Kahn as a precedent. The light shelf responds more to the cieling and skylight, and will have a more dramatic affect when adjusted to allow either much more or less light into the space. The materials I have used are as follows: silver mapel honey hardwood the floor and light shelf, glossy beige wall paint for the cieling and the upper side of the light shelf, and matte ivory wall paint for the vertical surfaces.

Below are images taken at different times of day and year, I am relatively happy with the resuls, as the light is fairly even although the exhibitions would need to be artificially light also, which was expected. The lights would be attached to the light shelf, however. I am pleased with the feel of the space, it seems to meet my aims.

182 194 202 193

215 251 275 241

185 223 208 193

186 190 197 188

The diagram below shows a set of light level measurements taken from a light meter in 3DSmax, measured in lux, taken at 12noon on the 21st of December. The average is 188, which is within my tar-get, and a good level of natural light for paintings to be veiwed but not damaged.

Lighting Analysis Architectural Technology 2Joe Walker

Final Image:

Construction Detail Architectural Technology 2Joe Walker

Skylight, aluminium window with double glazingSealing layerRigid insulationVapor barrierIn-situ reinforced concrete Plasterboard, plaster and paintLightshelf, 32mm timber boardsShelter for arcade, Laminated Glass32mm timber flooring18mm rigid sound insulation

Zinc CladdingTimber studs

Air gap32mm timber boards

Full height, aluminium window with double glazing30mm concrete flooring

4mm rigid insulationDamp proof membrain

Concrete strip foundationsAluminium mesh flooring