Reviewing the use of natural light by architects in the era of electricity, this book aims to show that natural light not only remains a potential source of order in architecture, but that natural lighting strategies impose a usefully creative discipline on design. Considering an approach to environmental context that sees light as a critical aspect of place, this book explores current attitudes to natural light by offering a series of in-depth studies of recent projects and the particular lighting issues they have addressed. It gives a more nuanced appraisal of these lighting strategies by setting them within their broader topographic, climatic and cultural contexts.

Reviewing the use of natural light by architects in the era of electricity, this book aims to show that natural light not only remains a potential source of order in architecture, but that natural lighting strategies impose a usefully creative discipline on design.

Considering an approach to environmental context that sees light as a critical aspect of place, this book explores current attitudes to natural light by offering a series of in-depth studies of recent projects and the particular lighting issues they have addressed. It gives a more nuanced appraisal of these lighting strategies by setting them within their broader topographic, climatic and cultural contexts.

Contents:
1. The Role of Environmental Variety 2. Keeping Animals Indoors 3. Urban Environmental Metabolism 4. Urban Design and the Microclimate 5. Outdoor Comfort 6. Dynamic Acoustics and Architecture 7. Intermediate Environments 8. Environmental Diversity and Natural Lighting Strategies 9. Daylight Perception 10. Spatial Variability and Thermal Comfort 11. Social and Environmental Convergence 12. Climatic Moderation in 20th Century Architecture 13. Diversified Life of Buildings.

This book takes the position that the dynamics of the architectural environment is a key aspect of good design, yet poorly understood. Environmental variety is a design characteristic closely related to our experience of architecture - an architecture of the senses. Each chapter demonstrates how an understanding of a particular context or environmental characteristic in dynamic terms informs design. The book is an antidote to the misconceptions of 'optimum' environmental performance or fixed criteria, instead embracing the richness of environmental variety.