Researching natural lighting and how it’s applied to current day religious architecture set off a domino effect of discoveries with the end result of finding a fondness in blends of architectural and sculpture which ask the observer to question ‘what am I looking at?’. Here is but a few of what I’ve found.
Reading Between The Lines |
Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh
Designed in 2011, hundreds of layers of evenly spaced steelwork create a mirage of forms that come together forming the classical and unmistakable typology of a church and steeple.
Although not intended as a traditional shelter, it serves as a reminder that different perspectives lead to different opinions. The sculpture is set alongside a walking path in Borgloon, Belgium.
Brick Farmhouse | MVRDV
For thirty years a central plot in the small Dutch town of Schijndel, South Netherlands laid as a puzzle to be solved by the local authority and at least six designers came up with separate methods that were all, in the end, rejected.
I like the way that the form and material texture are inter-related and yet purposefully made distinct. The glass is trying to be something that it is not. Perhaps if this were applied on a smaller scale I would be disgusted by its sham quality but, despite the failed attempt at impersonation, it instead demands a sense of admiration.
Korridor | Do Ho Suh
I visited Aarhus in Denmark before Christmas last year (2018) for a meeting and while there I stopped at the city’s art museum. This was the exhibit which left the long lasting impression that comes with a brilliant piece of artwork.
The almost effortless structure defines each space with a vivid spattering of colour: each section along the passageway having a theme that seems to have no correlation from one to the next other than what the artist had in his mind to create next.
The greatest fascination while still in the room was Do Ho Suh’s immaculate eye for detail: every door handle, light switch, self-closer and night latch was a delight to behold. I even remember seeing BS codes on the leading edge side of the door locks.
Lucid Stead | Phillip K Smith
Settled within the California High Desert, the Lucid Stead plays with the flat landscape that extends from horizon to horizon. Its demi-mirrored cladding allows the view to extend into, through and then beyond the small hut.
The doors and windows are fully mirrored and backed with LED lighters that transfigure the quiet and peaceful daytime form into an archetypal American flamboyance.
The radical shift is but a slow one with the harsh white glare of day slowly giving way to the reds and blues of dusk and Smith is keen on utilising this naturally ephemeral lustre to keep surprising observers; which it certainly does!
References:
http://www.gijsvanvaerenbergh.com/
https://en.aros.dk/about-aros/press/2018/do-do-suh-korridor/
Matt's Architecture 
This is a problem with the research (arguably the best part thou) – going down the rabbit hole! My further research has proven to be very useful – giving me enough ideas to carry through to the other projects.
Optical illusions are great and they definitely serve the purpose, but how can this be adapted for the ageing population and rising number of people suffering from dementia and similar conditions? That would be an interesting deviation from the main subject.
Good luck nevertheless!
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Thanks for your comment Justina – it’s certainly an interesting point, especially when considering the wider aspects of regulations and best design practice for those with visual impairments as well as those groups you’ve mentioned.
I’m inclined to believe that these sort of illusions are best kept to the more artistic realms of architecture – their widespread implementation just doesn’t suit the inclusive principles that we, as designers, should be ascribing to. This is obviously seen in most of these examples (besides the Brick Farmhouse) where the designer is perhaps seeking to make an artistic expression rather than deliver a truly functional building.
You’re definitely right in that it would be an interesting study to obtain the opinions and effects of these ‘sort’ of buildings on those with dementia. What’s your take on it? Would it create too many problems?
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