LITERATURE REVIEW
The literature review comprises four significant segments. The first segment discusses the historical concept of both natural and artificial light inside structures. In contrast, the second segment highlights the quality of light, as elaborated by Corbusier, Ando, and Kahn. The third segment states natural light and artificial light regarding character space about the research study. The last part mentions the methodology scopes and the significance of natural and artificial light inside a structure.
2.1 THE HISTORICAL CONCEPT OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHT INSIDE STRUCTURES.
There have been many changes that the function of natural light in a built space has undergone some changes ranging from sunlight as the only source of light and gradually heading to dependence on artificial light sources. The 20th century has experienced tremendous changes with the appearance of electric light and its smooth availability. With the rising need for control in the levels of illumination inside space, there has been a lot of emphasis on utilizing artificial light. The discrepancy in traits, ambiance of a space, the sun’s movement throughout the sky, and seasonal changes have been sacrificed in the process. While raising the power dependence, this shift has also made the indoors without a robust relationship with the exterior. Natural light usage can be traced long in the days when the vital rays of solar penetrating through the intense darkness of a cave. Since this time, natural light has been widely used as the main source of light in buildings constructed by man. These parts of the literature assessment will be based on natural light in its unique manifestations inside the built environment within their ancient times. It will also focus on the symbolic meaning of natural light and how it was manipulated to relay different effects in a building.
In 2004, Phillips stressed the history of daylighting and windows, clearly stating that it was quite synonymous with architectural history. During medieval times, windows shapes and locations were determined by their role within the general daylighting of the interior areas. This was modified during the Renaissance period as windows were viewed as formal objects and part of the elevation for this reason, losing the connection with the interior spaces. To suit the needs of the military, slit windows with splayed aspects have been used to minimize the overall contrast as the light could unfold alongside the interior wall floor. Inside the baroque churches of south Germany, the congregation was deprived of a direct view due to the use of indirect lighting through the windows. In the external façade, vertical windows were commonly used throughout. However, the use of roof lights in buildings to allow light pass through during the day greatly impacted the stately homes of the 17th and 18th centuries. This enabled the architect to properly organize the central places that received daylight from various roof openings. The development of workspace in the 19th century increased demand for higher illumination levels leading to a higher dependency on controlled surroundings where primary illumination was attained through artificial lighting. The general increase in the use of artificial light resulted in the construction of windowless environments by the mid-1960s. As a result, questions have been asked concerning the ground’s association, the interior, and its significance. In a research carried out by Moore in 1985, he offered a quick précis at the ancient response in the direction of natural light inside a built surrounding. From his perspective, sunlight hours have been associated by way of symbolic meanings of cleanliness, purity, expertise, and heaven, aside from its essential position to light up an area. He groups the use of natural light into three exclusive sections – Preindustrial, Industrial and Postindustrial Architecture that have been discussed below in addition to subheadings.
2.1.1 PRE-INDUSTRIAL ARCHITECTURE
Historical civilizations have attempted to explain how light is brought into space. The use of both small and large openings helped create distinctive consequences that found out the depth with which light was made to get into a building.
2.1.1.1 Greece
The mild Greece climatic conditions ushered in sturdy slender shafts of light. Temples situated towards the east allowed sun rays to pass through the entrance and shine brightly over the statues. Light diffused from the sky and reflected floor light would show forms of the building decorated and ornamented. In 2002, Baker and Steemers factored out the use of sturdy sunlight in the temples in Greek reveal the intensity of the façade. The closely spaced column layers created shadows in the front stone walls further intensify this impact.