Question 2: Select an architect of your choice and write about his/her philosophy/ideas on lighting for the built environment. How does the architect utilize lighting in his/her design? Interior/exterior and natural/electrical lighting is appropriate.
Architect William van Alen is the expert behind the Chrysler building located at the northeast corner of Lexington avenue 42 street New York. The building was ranked the tallest from the year 1930 to 1931and stood at a height of 319 metres with 77 floors. The building plan had decorations such as a domed lantern, frieze on the 30th floor, huge gargoyles, Chrysler eagle radiator caps and hood ornaments. These art decors make it New York’s finest.
The initial intention of William was to have the Chrysler building have lighted glass dome having triangular windows in the metallic spire also equipped with lights. The building’s top made of stainless steel-silvery grey- in colour since it reflects light both during the day and night. The building also had clearly distinct base, middle and top. The middle is a shaft having setbacks that brings a sense of space and allows light down the street.
The Chrysler building is most radiant during the day and unlike its neighbour the empire state building known for its glow at night. The upper floors gleam, reflect and appear to pulsate light; thus guiding the eyes upwards the spire. The Chrysler building is an endowment of two sets of lighting in the topmost spires and decorations. First, there are V-shaped lighting inserts in the steel of the building. Later, the building got fluorescents and groups of floodlights added on the mast arms found at the back of the building and on the tower shaft. The floodlights enable lighting of the building top in several colours for special occasions. The lighting installations the Chrysler building also took place during construction.
Reference
Vergees, M. & Julie M. (2007). Light in architecture. Antwerp: Tectum Publishers, Print.
