Graham Phoenix gave a presentation at Lightfair, 2010, on “Daylight & Sunlight | Nature & Buildings”.
Our experience of light comes from nature. Daylight and sunlight, in their various qualities provide the background to our conceptual understanding. This approach is rarely transformed into dramatic lighting designs. Using the case study of the New Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, UK, the use of lighting in trees as a guide to lighting a building will be demonstrated. Also the play of natural light within gothic cathedrals will be explored and analyzed as a source of inspiration for cathedral lighting. Detailed use of photographs, sketches and examples will be made to draw the attendee into this important realm of inspiration.
There were four learning objectives for the presentation:
1. Learn how to look for inspiration outside of the normal experience and look beyond what you see to what you experience.
2. Learn how to visualize designs in terms of conceptual ideas. In creating great lighting design it is important to understand the necessity of this conceptual approach. The technical process of identifying the equipment to implement the design can come later. First it is necessary to understanding what is to be achieved, visually, and why. Attendees will learn how to provide metaphors for their work that will reveal their inspiration clearly to clients.
3. The influence of codes and standards tends to create a level of uniformity that veers towards blandness. Learn how to bring drama and contrast to designs. Natural light continually provides interest and variety through its dynamic range and movement. Attendees will learn how to harness this dynamism and fire up their own creative work with it. Codes and standards will be applied later but first passion is needed.
4. How to take risks while giving the client certainty on the effect of the end result. Ultimately all design work is created for end clients, who need to understand and approve what is proposed. Learn how to explain designs to the clients in a way that transmits the dynamism and passion behind them.