Are you an Architect of Light?- 12 Most Beautifully Designed Spaces with Play of Light and Shadow

Have you ever taken a moment to pause and observe a dramatic shadow cast by an entrance canopy and wondered how it all works?

No! I’d guess this to be an answer for a majority of people. Most of us are accustomed to looking at light and shadow that we barely stop to try and understand the impact it has on the overall experience of the user. Light plays a major role in altering our emotions and consequently modifies our perception of the space. Furthermore, it adds depth, perspective, and a sense of realism to a uniform space and hence has an immense power to define a space.

Does this imply that light in its solitary existence is responsible for the entire magic? The answer to this is no.

As quoted by architect Louis Kahn “I sense Light as the giver of all presences and material as spent Light. What is made by Light casts a shadow and the shadow belongs to Light.”

Light is always accompanied by what we call a ‘Shadow’ that gives a clue of direction, aids in understanding the surface of movement, elevation, and contributes to establishing a relationship with the surrounding context. Today the role and relevance of light is limited to selecting a few fancy products from high-end catalogues thereby creating mundane spaces that lack a dialogue with the surrounding context. Hence the examples mentioned below will aid in understanding the interplay of light and shadow and the various ways in which it can be used to create a dramatic spatial expression to enhance user experience.

IHA Residence, Thiruvananthapuram

The play of light and shadow is often used to embrace the elevation which is evident in the beautiful design of this house located in Thiruvananthapuram where bamboo that has been reinforced with steel rods has been used to support the staircase which during the day creates a drama of light and shadow. This spatial arrangement is creating a serene environment for the users to relax during the day and at night the same space by the virtue of being artificially illuminated adds a sense of movement and dynamism to the entrance area thereby acting as a visual intrigue for the passerby.