THE TOUCH OF LIGHT

Light has its own atmospheres, ambiences, and expressions; it is surely the most subtle and emotive of the means of architectural expression. Artists have created yet another paradox of illumination: black light. In today's ordinary architectural practices, light is regrettably often treated merely as a quantitative phenomenon; design regulations and standards usually specify required minimum levels of illumination and window sizes, but they do not define maximum levels of luminance, or desired qualities of light, such as its orientation, temperature, color, or reflectedness. Besides, our buildings tend to permit too much light and distribute it too evenly, weakening thus the sense of place, intimacy, and secrecy. An evenly lit, shadowless space has a nauseating and alienating effect. Deep shadows and darkness are essential, because they dim the sharpness of vision, make depth and distance ambiguous, and invite unconscious peripheral visions and tactile fantasies.