Light | My Site 1

Light
Form & Order

The purpose of this project was to construct a non-denominational chapel located on Farmingdale State College's campus. The chapel was required to collect the natural light without it directly infiltrating the chapel. This was achieved through the use of additive shapes, reflectors, and curves to the facade of the chapel so as to control the light flow into the building. Through the analysis of existing chapels, the campus site, seasonal light patterns and angles, the chapel' s orientation, site and design were conceived.

Background Research

I researched the Notre Dame Du Haut (Ronchamp Chapel) designed by Le Corbusier.

This section shows how Le Corbusier utilized uniquely shaped cutouts to reflect light onto the the walls of the chapel and how the roof of this building seems to float on top of the walls allowing light to come into the chapel from under the roof at an angle so the light never flows directly into the chapel.

The image to the left shows how the bell-tower in Notre Dame Du Haut works as a light cannon sending light into the two memorial chapels attached to the main chapel.

Contextual Analysis & Sun Diagrams

Site Plans & Sorting

The analysis of light on the campus and the direction of the sun path influenced my design and where I placed it on the campus. The chapel is rotated slightly so as to capture the natural sunlight and reflect it into the chapels. I decided to place the chapel near the dormitories so it was easier for students to access.