Light-in
The project was first aiming to bring natural light into industrially made homes for the well-being of the habitants. Yet, as the project developed on an explorative research, its result involved the psychological perception - toying with how we seek for meanings or sympathy with objects.
LITERATURE REVIEWS
Biophilic design was defined as a design philosophy that encourages the use of natural systems and processes in the design of the built environment (Kellert et al., 2008). It encourages designers to take natural elements and processes as inspiration in architecture. A concept behind the philosophy is that exposure to natural environments and features have positive effects on human health and wellbeing, which has been supported in a wealth of research (Bowler et al., 2015).
Natural light is one of the elements and it has been promoted as being beneficial for wellness and psychology of building occupants. Most research pointed out in consensus that nature and daylight could promote a positive mood. For example, the effects of light were associated with cortisol production, sociability, and individual concentration among students (Küller & Lindsten, 1992). Moreover, biological research validated that light can influence physical health including circadian rhythms and vitamin D production (Beute & de Kort, 2014).
CHALLENGE
In the 21st century, the world population is bounded to digital light coming through industrial rectangles, from retina displays on laptops to home windows. This was accentuated during the pandemic lockdown in 2020-2021. We were ripped apart from the nature and society, and we have increased technological reliance more than ever. The designer would like to recreate human's relationship with outdoor again through aesthetic and beauty of natural light. And here is the start of the journey to bring the light in.
PROCESS
Initiation
The project started from her trial with mirror reflection, the designer was trying to make a room brighter through light reflection on her wall. But she was shunned by the rigidity of light in a rectangle. So she developed to make it more organic and expansive.
Prototype 1
She holds onto the concept of natural light reflection but aimed for an organic-looking movement. The first prototype was a simple turning mechanism of a mirror sheet. The reflection was magical, like a flying creature. One amazing feature was how the reflection expanded across all the walls. (April, 2021)
Prototype 2
Taking water as a role model, the mechanism of the mirror sheet movement was developed into multi-dimensional movement. This resulted in a more expansive reflection. (July, 2021)
Prototype 2.5
Trying out movement mechanisms and eletronics to reproduce the magic in a more stable set-up.
(August, 2021)
Prototype 3
Moving forward to automate the movement with servos and an Arduino UNO! Now I am programming and preparing laser cuts for this next model.
(September, 2021)
Prototype 4
Playing a psychologist, I took a step to make an experiment of how people imagine and perceive it - which would be a part of this artwork: see the video on the top.
(October, 2021)
Development in progress
Taking the step further, I am trying a beamer as a light-source. Please check "sensemaking" project.
CONTEXT
Type: Self project
Time: June 2021 - present
Team: Me (artist, designer, producer)
Silas J. Nethe (production assistance)