Spatial representations of melanopic light in architecture

Abstract

Modes of representation are key elements in communicating the properties of natural and built environments. This research proposes a capture and representation method for daylighting dynamics in interior and exterior spaces for the photopic (daytime vision) and melanopic (biological clock) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The proposed representations of physical ambiences situate quantitative physical information in space and can be displayed as immersive representations for better communication between architects and other stakeholders in the building industry. A digital tool was developed for low-cost, automated surveys using lightweight Raspberry Pi microcomputers and associated Camera Modules (RPiCM). The method allows visualizing the qualitative and quantitative aspects of lighting patterns using High Dynamic Range (HDR) images that generate luminance maps, accurately render human perception and subsequently generate photopic/melanopic dominance maps. The resulting spatial representations become communication tools to identify the photopic/melanopic dominance of architectural components and support design initiatives from architects.

KEYWORDS:

• Architecture
• daylight
• melanopic light
• Raspberry Pi
• HDRi
• immersive representation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Sentinel North program of Université Laval, made possible, in part, thanks to funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. More specifically, the research was part of the Sentinel North sub-project 2.1, entitled ‘Culture[s] of Northern Light: Optimizing biophilia in extreme climates through architecture’.