EnLIGHTening the landscape

Abstract

The simple idea of nighttime design became a catalyst for what would be a year long investigation into how our perception, both spatially and experientially, is shaped by the effects and implementation of lighting. The dark, moody, transformation that happens when the sun goes down, completely changes how we perceive and experience these nocturnal landscapes.

While the idea of lighting our landscapes serves a very functional and necessary role, this exploration aims to extract the qualities, depth, and representational methods used in the past and currently, to guide a narrative on how lighting needs to be adapted in all stages of the design process rather than just as an afterthought.

While looking at a range of scopes that lighting falls under with respect to landscape architecture, a majority of past and current influences and conversations are based around artistic installations and interpretations of the use of light. With a goal of finding a balance of the evocative nature and emotional connection an artistic approach to lighting can have while still addressing the outdated more functional side that lighting speaks to.

Finding a balance of these two approaches has been one of the biggest challenges faced due to the different natures and intentions behind each avenue of lighting. Tasked with the challenge of representing the richness and depth of light from a new perspective, the success or failure of this thesis study will be dependent on defining and invigorating a graphic representation of the emotional connection that lighting can serve.