The physicality of a building no doubt has changed in form, material and ability to regenerate itself in many ways environmentally. LEED has created a conscious reminder throughout a project’s phases to be mindful of how the building relates to its environment and user. We sketch, we plan and then we present. It’s in-between such phases that a new in-house design phase has emerged and one the client does not always get to see, that being the way in which buildings and its interiors are rendered to illuminate a specific time of day based on a specific geographic locale on the globe. The purpose? To show how the space and/or building will appear as the sun passes through, around and over it to the designer and architect. Interestingly, the light studies once run through actually capture a hidden architecture and something worth pondering: What impact do shadows leave on a space or better yet what experience does the ‘architectural shadow’ create for the user? Because, if one thinks about it, a shadow once cast that yields stunning architectural forms and shapes and varied transparency can be designed into a project and become its own art installation of sorts. Consider the material that the shadow is reflected upon and you can enhance its appearance or diminish it. Like a piece played on the piano, in this case the building is the piano and the shadow is the sound made when played. The song can have a diminuendo or crescendo effect on the audience just as a shadow can have on a visitor to a building or outdoor public venue. Image below: http://chadhub.blogspot.com/2010/10/shadows.html Iron work: http://www.etsy.com/listing/89262220/shadow-photo-5x7-signed-print-black-and Tank satirs: http://wonderfulambiguity.tumblr.com/post/6047388217/eke-miedaner-metal-stairs-with-long-shadows-2007
Critical to any interior are daylight studies. Computer generated models greatly assist designers and architects view how light effects a space and the shadows cast as a result throughout the work day. Adjustments can be made to minimize or maximize sun exposure based on the sun's locale. Image/study below: http://designadvisor.mit.edu/Design/validation.html
Piano 'key-like' stairs spiral around a holding tank. The massive, ordinarily function of the tank is almost elevated in status by the delicate architectural play that is going on outside of it.
The notion of shadows is simple, even children grasp the effortless impact the sun and a hand gesture can have when combined. In design school, nowhere is the shadow more explored and valued than in the drawing of an analytique (the masterly of layered objects or architectural forms that give spatial illusions and/or relationships) analytiques can be compiled in endless ways, yet one thing remains certain, the mastery of the student to appropriately incorporate shadows into their final piece to crescendo the overall design’s appearance or diminuendo the imagery which becomes key with regard to the drawings final impact. Image below: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4yWx8IDlqR0/TBw90XQ3i-I/AAAAAAAACaI/IIsV9-yunSE/s1600/june18shadows.jpg
Below, an stunning example of an analytique that through innovative shadow technique pops the Guggenheim off the page to beacon visitors to the museum while elegantly portraying a 2-D view/plan behind. Image below:http://coyweng.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html
Shadows taken as their most basic exploration yield opportunities of more than light and darkness studies; shadows teach us about perspective as well. Below an innovative experiment with a simple notion and set up where the outcome is not only hauntingly beautiful but a functional tool of learning. Source: http://dornob.com/shadow-cubes-3d-art-of-augmented-reality-architecture/#axzz2Qk7Btht0
Below, one can see clearly how light, dark and perspective all merge to create architectural elements that add a new level of detail and an artistic playfulness to an interior. Image below: http://svenjabercht.wordpress.com/architecture/
Lighting today is more than purposeful, it can be sculptural and at the same time omit a dance of light that intrigues the end user. (Below) a hanging pendant. "My architectural fixtures are objects that emit light and character and are created by the process of photo chemical etching on to brushed stainless steel plates. The designs are assembled manually employing an origami folding technique which does not require screws and soldering. The combination of light, metal and technology are fundamental to the entire creative process from conception to completion, and the interaction between these elements allows for the creation of a product that is warm and atmospheric. What were once two dimensional shapes evolve into stable and durable three dimensional light fixtures, each holding a secret full of ideas, passion and vision." Image/quote source: http://liatpoysner.org/about
Everyday objects instantly give scale to a person when sitting on it or next to. Most effective architectural renderings will include some form of person in a position and scale. The light that falls within the computer rendered image or hand made model of the space allow a client to envision how the building relates to human dimension. Interestingly when one removes any/all objects, scale is difficult to assume as in the credenza unit below. The walking person(s) create mass and movement but no scale until one see the reveal of the final piece do we grasp the people are in the scale of tiny army men. Image below: http://www.weirdomatic.com/wp-content/pictures/2010/02/people_playing_with_shadows_26.jpg
Spring 2013 for women & men's fashion has a strong showing of black and white vignettes. Simple patterns reveal what can be interpreted as shadows or not. The influence is classic, sophisticated and flattering on all body types. Image below: http://indulgy.com/post/EDttxLnpj1/yulia-kharlapanova-wears-black-and-white-i
The Great Gatsby movie to be released in May 2013 has set a flutter among jazz enthusiasts 21st century designs based on the 20th century novel. The designs emerging are not only novel themselves but mesmerizing. Here the Jazz themed tie colorway is black and white, shadows? or kaleidoscopic it all that jazz.
The middle sports watch below casts the illusion of a shadow with a minimalist time piece approach.
Even Nike has caught on to the subtle rage, offering sneakers sans color? on the contrary, the color is all there black and white casting a shadow on all other footwear competitors who have not thought of the same.