Window geometry and its effect on the experience of illuminated spaces – a study of three daylit architectural cases

Abstract

Looking at the architecture of modern housing in Denmark, it seems to express an understanding that equals more daylight with good daylight. With coated energy glass, the windows have increased in size, making glass into a façade material. This means that windows are no longer just holes in the façade but rather make up the entire façade itself. This changes the spatial relationship between the window design and distribution of daylight within the interior space, though we seldom address this lacking a vocabulary and methods. This paper sets out to investigate and experiment with how we can describe and document this change in daylight conditions and how these influence our visual environment, using photographs to record this. The methodology focusses on observations of daylit spaces in three different housing examples in Copenhagen from the 1800s to today. By observing the three daylit spaces, it becomes clear that differences in the size, shape, and position of window apertures influence the qualities of light in a space significantly. Considering that when it comes to window apertures different designs affect the experience of light in a space significantly, it is important to take this into account when designing with daylight. It is also important from a sustainability point of view to include this awareness in future design approaches.