Building lighting: How light changes the appearance of buildings

The Evolution of Light in Architecture: A Journey Through Time from the First Sparks to Modern Design Integration

The Beginnings: Fire and Reflection

Since man mastered fire, he has also used light to his advantage. In ancient times, fire bowls and simple oil lamps were used to light rooms. But even then, architects like the ancient Egyptians understood that natural light played an important role. They designed their buildings to flood them with daylight by creating light shafts and special openings.

The Middle Ages: Church Windows as Messengers

The medieval cathedrals of Europe show the art of light in all its glory. The magnificent stained glass windows were not only decorative but also symbolic. They told stories from the Bible and taught the believers. The light that shone through them was divine - it brought color, warmth and spirituality to the sacred space.

The Renaissance: Perspective and Shadow

With the Renaissance came a new understanding of space and perspective. Artists and architects like Leonardo da Vinci studied light to create realistic representations. They understood how shadows defined shapes and reflections affected colors. This knowledge found its way into architecture, creating buildings that played with light and shadow to create depth and three-dimensionality.

The Industrial Age: Electricity Changes Everything

The discovery of electricity in the 19th century ushered in a new era. Suddenly streets were lit at night and interiors could be designed in ways previously unimaginable. Electric lighting changed society and turned night into day.

Modernism and Postmodernism: Technology Meets Design

In the modern and postmodern era, architects such as Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright have further explored the interplay of light and space. The use of glass, the incorporation of natural and artificial light sources, and the integration of technology have paved the way for architecture in which light plays a major role.