Design Elements

Natural Light

Natural light animates form, creates an ever-changing sense of space, and is necessary for health and well being.  How natural light enters a space defines the mood and comfort level.  Light that enters from only one direction can be harsh and glary (useful for highlighting an area, like the apse of a church), while light that enters from multiple sides provides an even and comfortable illumination.  Direct light is strong with high contrast, while light bounced off multiple surfaces become diffused and even.  At Old Bridge Road House, south-facing windows under a large roof overhang (to right in photo) allows large amounts of indirect light in during the summer, and direct light in during the winter.

Light and Privacy

The Levy Residence is located on a site with a busy road to the south and a water view to the north.  To bring in natural light while maintaining privacy from the road, high clerestory windows were used.  Combined with the ambient light from the north windows, the clerestory windows create a light-filled space year round.

Diffusion

The master bedroom in the Chandler Drive Residence admits natural light through multiple windows located on different sides of the room.  Some of the light is bounced off of freestanding elements, like the dressing room shown here, creating a diffused and somewhat mysterious atmosphere.

Illumination

At the Patriots Peace Memorial, glass plaques commemorating fallen soldiers replace bricks in the walls.  During the day, sunlight streams through the glass openings, illuminating each person as a shaft of light.  At night, internal illumination shines out through each plaque, radiating into the community.