Light Zone City: Light Planning in the Urban Context

128 Pages·2006·49.38 MB·English

by  Christa van Santen (auth.)

Light Zone City
for Joke M.A. van Hengstum
Light Zone City
Light Planning in tlie Urban Context
Christa van Santen
Birkhauser - Publishers for Architecture
Basel • Boston • Berlin
Contents
Foreword 6
The City as an Outside Interior 8
Beautification of the City 24
Public Lighting 34
Designing with Light 50
The Illumination of Buildings 68
Case Studies 90
Brandenburger Tor, Berlin 92 / Somerset House, London 94 / Cathedral
Basilica of Sint-Jan,'s-Hertogenbosch 96 / Colosseum, Rome 98/
Ostend 100/Bridges 104/Use of Colour no
Light Pollution 114
Maintenance 124
5
Foreword
Light in the city is necessary for orientation. Lighting makes it pos- rules have been devised so as to avoid an excess of such light.
sible to distinguish streets, paths and parks, and allows users of public A master plan for the lighting of a certain area is preferable to
spaces to see each other. The illumination of buildings, the lighting individual designs that are aimed at one feature without taking the
of objects and of green spots in the city can also serve to beautify the surroundings into account. A good master plan is tailored to the
surroundings, providing it is done well. individual character of the environment and creates coherence in
The use of the incandescent lamp in the public environment has the nighttime appearance of the place. The city at night is different
now had its day. The development of new light sources and accom- from the city during the daytime. The daytime atmosphere cannot
panying luminaires has greatly increased our possibilities. Public be imitated. The night can certainly be a little more 'mysterious' and
lighting nowadays comes in a number of varieties, all supplied with have its own ambience. The architecture and town planning of a
cleverly designed optics. Yet sometimes it seems as though all exter- location should serve as a guideline for a carefully designed lighting
ior light, not only for advertising, but also for the illumination of concept. In many cities, there are fine examples of buildings that are
buildings and even street lighting, has become a marketing tool. illuminated in a way that shows understanding of the significance
A fashion item that must be put on display and sold to the consumer. of the architecture.
Coloured light is used whether it is suitable or not. It is suitable when The thematic chapters of this book throw light upon the function
a party atmosphere is required or where it plays a functional role with- of illumination in the city. To illustrate this, a variety of locations in
out detracting from the other light that is present; it is not suitable different cities have been photographed and provided with a com-
when it makes the city resemble theatrical scenery. However charm- mentary. These snapshots in time help to clarify the possibilities
ing and enchanting it may be, light that has the function of attracting and the limitations of illumination.
the attention to advertising or of accentuating decorative elements
does not help to make a space more easily navigable. In many places, Christa van Santen, February 2006
7
The City as an
Outside Interior