Visual Delight in Architecture

Description

Visual Delight in Architecture : Daylight, Vision, and View

Visual Delight in Architecture examines the many ways that our lives are enriched by the presence of natural daylight and window views within our buildings. It makes a compelling case that daily exposure to the rhythms of daylight is essential to our health and well-being, tied to the very genetic foundations of our physiology and cognitive function. It describes all the subtlety, beauty, and pleasures of well-daylit spaces and attractive window views, and explains how these are woven into the fabric of both our everyday sensory experience and enduring cultural perspectives.
All types of environmental designers, along with anyone interested in human health and well- being, will fi nd new insights offered by Visual Delight in Architecture. The book is both accessible and provocative, full of personal stories and persuasive research, helping designers to gain a deeper understanding of the scientific basis of their designs, scientists to better grasp the real-world implications of their work, and everyone to more fully appreciate the role of windows in their lives.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Part 1: Prediction

• 1. Planetary Rhythms
• 2. Chronobiology and Human Health
• 3. The Evolving and Aging Eye
• 4. The Predictive Brain
• 5. Attention and Insight

Part 2: Perception

• 6. Learning to See
• 7. Patterns of Daylight Illumination
• 8. Designing with Daylight
• 9. Elements of View

Part 3: Motivation

• 10. Daylighting Education
• 11. Selling Daylight
• 12. Enduring Urban Forms
• 13. The Value of View
• 14. Working with Daylight
• 15. Healing Daylight

Part 4: Meaning

• 16. Iconic Daylight and Views
• 17. Visions of Nature
• 18. Biophilia and Technophilia
• 19. Synthesis and Next Steps

Conclusion, Glossary, List of Illustrations, Notes and References, Index, Acknowledgements, About the Author