Lighting Effects with Coiled Wire Fabric
Earn 1 AIA LU
Architecture is light.” As Le Corbusier stated, indeed architects spend a lot of design time working with the dynamic interplay of natural and artificial lighting on to, and in to, their building’s surfaces, materials, and three-dimensional spaces to create a complete experience for building occupants. With variable light transmission and reflection qualities, coiled wire fabric has quickly become one of the most popular materials for incorporating light into buildings by offering unparalleled design flexibility and customization through an incredibly cost-effective and durable material option suitable for a wide range of interior and exterior applications. This course delves into the specifics of this versatile architectural metal mesh material and looks at the variety of ways that it can be used to enhance architecture through the use of light. Starting with an overview of the material, we then look at the ways it can be a means of control and enhancement of both natural daylight and electrical lighting. Further, we explore its use as a surface where still or moving imagery can be projected. Ultimately, it is the combination of design prowess, materials, and lighting that create beautiful, functional architecture as seen in examples cited.
Learning Objective
- Identify and recognize the specific nature of coiled wire fabric with its abilities to impact lighting, ventilation, and well-designed healthy spaces.
- Assess the use of coiled wire fabric to control or enhance the use of sunlight to create improved indoor environments for the welfare of their occupants.
- Explain the options available for using electrical lighting, including low voltage or energy efficient LED lighting, for interior and exterior installations.
- Determine ways to use coiled wire fabric to receive projected imagery, both fixed and moving, for artistic or performance purposes.
