“Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light.”

Le Corbusier – Architect

Sunlight Analysis

This presentation is divided into different steps, and the first one is about sunlight analysis. The sunlight analysis will help to understand the light’s behavior and how we can use it as a primary design tool to form the preliminary body.

There are two main parameters in sunlight analysis:

1-Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA)
2-Annual Sun Exposure (ASE)

1-Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA)
Describes how much of the space receives sufficient daylight. Specifically, it represents the percentage of floor area that receives at least 300 lux for at least 50% of the annual occupied hours.

2-Annual Sun Exposure (ASE)
Describes how much space receives too much direct sunlight, which can
cause visual discomfort (glare) or increase cooling loads. ASE measures the percentage of floor area that receives at least 1000 lux for at least 250 occupied hours per year.

As you can see in this series of diagrams, I tried to describe these two parameters to understand better how we want to use them during the design. The square form is considered 100 feet by 100 feet with 14 feet height as a basic model to analyze the sunlight’s behavior through its space.
Modeling the light condition will determine which part of the inner space receives less, medium, or even over the needed amount of sunlight. Placing openings on different sides of the basic model will provide more info about the annual sunlight’s condition,..and as you can see here, the only side not including the overlit or receiving too much direct sunlight is the northern light.

Take advantage of the Northern light to avoid receiving direct sunlight + increase the ambient daylight in the space.

Based on the sunlight analysis, preparing and creating the space in the balanced light conditions.

These parameters are:
1- Consider the Minimum Sun Altitude based on the location. (It will happen in the Winter season)
2- Choose the Longest Day of the Year to understand how much sunlight we have during a day and when it will start (Sunrise) and end (Sunset).
(It will happen in the Summer season)
3- Take advantage of the Northern light to avoid receiving direct sunlight and increase the space's ambient daylight. (For all seasons)

Sunlight Analysis based on the chosen location (Minneapolis)

The next step is the sunlight analysis based on the chosen location because each place has its unique solar position. Processing sunlight analysis requirements for all months a year in Minneapolis will be provided with related info for the next step. January and July include the most important parameters as the shortest and longest days in a year.

The Minimum Sun Altitude in January and the longest day of the year in July are shown in these diagrams.

Two first main parameters:
1- Consider the Minimum Sun Altitude (Which is happening in the Winter season)
2- Choose the Longest Day of a Year (Which is happening in the Summer season)

Forming based on the Sunlight Analysis and the Chosen Location (Minneapolis)

The first step of forming will be shaped by the minimum angle between the horizon and the center of the sun in three phases.

The second step of forming will be shaped by the maximum angle between the sunset and sunrise in three phases.

Third parameter:

Take advantage of the Northern light to avoid receiving direct sunlight and increasing the ambient sunlight in the space. (For all seasons)
The general form is shaped in two past steps and will not be flexible anymore to change because of those specific angles that we did consider, and it should be steady. So the only way that we can take advantage of the northern light is by deforming the roof part.

Deforming the roof in two different directions will be happened by dividing the roof surface into separated strips to apply tiny openings between them. These diagrams will show the roof developments in five steps.

The final form will be analyzed to ensure that forming methods based on previous steps are working correctly. As you can see, there is no overlit or underlit spot in the space.

The only way to provide different light conditions without receiving direct sunlight and increasing its ambient lighting in the space is; to aim for the northern sunlight, which is only available on the roof form as an option to form in different ways. Using the 3DS MAX software and modeling the final structure inside the net, we have 32 ways to deform the roof without changing the opening angles from the north side.

Sunlight Analysis of different forms

Checking the sunlight analysis for all thirty-two forms will take the next step in the design.

Checking the sunlight analysis for all thirty-two forms.

Choosing final forms based on their best light conditions

Finalizing the nine forms between them based on their sunlight’s inner quality and condition.

A design method based on the final chosen forms

The design method will be shaped using the same percentage of inner space light conditions.

Form the functions

The next step is working on the inner functions and how they will be created based on the connections between existing forms. The next step is to follow three main logic to add the functions into spaces.

Light developing

Develop openings’ position, use the sunlight as an inner guide tool, and ensure the sunlight will have the maximum coverage around the space.

Change the elevations

Change the elevation during the movement inside and form specific light conditions for each considered function based on its need.

“The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.”

Le Corbusier – Architect

“We are born of light. The seasons are felt through light. We only know the world as it is evoked by light.”

Louis Kahn – Architect

“Light is of decisive importance in experiencing architecture. The same room can give very different spatial impressions by the simple expedient of changing the size and location of its openings.”

Steen Eiler Rasmussen – Architect

“Light belongs to the heart and spirit. Light attracts people, it shows the way, and when we see it in the distance, we follow it.”

Ricardo Legorreta – Architect

“Architecture which enters into a symbiosis with light does not merely create a form in light, by day and at night, but allow light to become form.”

Richard Meier – Architect

“I sense Light as the giver of all presences and material as spent Light. What is made by Light casts a shadow, and the shadow belongs to Light.”

Louis Kahn – Architect

“More and more, so it seems to me light is the beautifier of the building.”

Frank Lloyd Wright – Architect

“Light has not just intensity, but also a vibration, which is capable of roughening a smooth material, of giving a three-dimensional quality to a flat surface.”

Renzo Piano– Architect

“Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms, assembled in the light.”

Le Corbusier – Architect

The building will be placed close enough to the northern boundary line of the site plan to provide enough free space to receive sufficient sunlight.

The site plan location and choosing reasons are:
1-Easy access by using different types of transportation
2-Playing the primary role as the center core of downtown in Minneapolis

Transportation

Different transportation possibilities around the site plan will be a good chance for visitors to reach out quickly.

Transportation

Based on the site plan location, the new program could lead as the centralized point to gather people from different directions of this town.

“What’s nice about concrete is that it looks unfinished.”

Zaha Hadid – Architect

Material and Structure

The precast concrete will be considered the main structure and an excellent solution to connect different building parts like puzzle pieces.

Roof + Glazing

Roof + Glazing

Roof + Glazing

Roof + Wall

Wall + Glazing

Wall + Floor

Wall + Foundation