"Paseo Ahumada field trip"
Light is a of the first factors to consider in the context of an architectural definition of the environments.
Within its 2 main conditions of generation, natural and artificial, can give definition to our sites by providing them with a special and / or a contrast in relation to our requirement.
The architecture takes the hand to light to create conditions in which we generate meaning shelter, or dim places, open places, very light, from a wide range of possibilities. In this situation, there are multiple factors that we can use and adapt to achieve a better definition of our environments.
At the start, "in search of light", we stand at a place in the capital, smoked ride specifically to observe and investigate the relationships between light and architecture, and how they influence our perception of the environment. Aided by an instrument called light meter, a sensitive device that performs measurements of ambient light levels, implying we will as we move forward in the journey, the different determinants that light is involved.
El Paseo Ahumada is a unique way of pedestrians in the center of Santiago de Chile, between the Plaza de Armas de Santiago and the Alameda del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins in a north-south and the same at both ends are underground stations Universidad de Chile, Plaza de Armas. Street is considered the most active reference and commercial center of the city and pass her a million people daily, either to go to department stores or places of work. It has the characteristics of a longitudinal ride to the open sky, but the adjoining buildings that give an impression of determination of the confined space in a unique sense, we might even say that leads us on a path imposed, of course, always with different options within the road.
Its orientation corresponds to an efficient way to minimize the direct impact of sunlight because of the passage adjacent buildings operate at a level of vertical sunshades, thus creating the shape of a tunnel with a minimum sun exposure and most of the light is generated by reflection and diffusion. This produces a suitable space for the transit of people most of the time, and it is clear that nobody would dare to pass through a passage in which the sun comes frente.Además include the fact that this orientation is beneficial to its other possible orientations, as having designed this passage with a different orientation would have almost impossible to generate a shaded space for pedestrians. In addition the facades of buildings that create the passage, are of a termination which allows low reflection of light that hits them, providing an acceptable light in sight. In a time of day when the sun passes on the drive generates the largest amount of direct radiation, is where the trees play a fundamental role in the generation of shadow.
Within these multiple options we enter a gallery sector. In this specific place lighting conditions highlighted by the dominant white color in either the ceiling, walls and floor ceramic aid light reflection. A place with these qualities gives us the feeling of direct simplicity in its purpose, where the point is to highlight the shops that make up the gallery. It is worth mentioning the important contribution of the windows light, soft lighting that highlights nicely focused to view the products offered there. In the spatiality in general, the amount of light was approximately 200 lux, and the approach to the display cases the amount of light increased to 500 lux, the latter fact is important, since in our investigations this amount of light is optimal for a commercial.
Following the tour we found resting places, semicubiertos, possessing characteristics of indirect natural light (by reflection in white areas), generating a feeling of harmony and calm, nice to take some time before follow the route. We entered another gallery also had the quality of artificial lighting, which gave the feeling of being in an outdoor night by the light that gave the lanterns, and define ad-hoc trade-adjacent.
Daniela Valencia
Nicole Donoso
Ingrid Sepúlveda
Laboratory Workshop 1 - Prof. Velia Garcia
