UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1997 Natural light as religious symbol in selected European and American religious buildings Mary Theresa Venable University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Venable, Mary Theresa, "Natural light as religious symbol in selected European and American religious buildings" (1997). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 3307. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/jstp-s4tu processed, response: 201 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. NATURAL LIGHT AS RELIGIOUS SYMBOL IN SELECTED EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS by Mary Theresa Venable A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture School of Architecture College of Fine Arts University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 1997 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1385205 Copyright 1997 by Venable, Mary Theresa All rights reserved. UMI Microform 1385205 Copyright 1997, by UM I Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition Is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, M I 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. © 1997 Mary T. Venable All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. The Thesis of Mary Theresa Venable for the degree of Master of Architecture is approved. - ] Chair, J. Hugh Bijrgess, Arch.D. Examfning Committee Member, Zouheir Hashem, Phi) Examirfing Committee Mlember, Neil D. Opfer, M.S. Graduate Faculty Representative, Robert H/Tracy, Ph.D Dean of the Graduate College, Ronald W. Smith, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 1997 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT This study investigates the use of light, in the form of daylight, as a symbolic element, in selected European and American religious buildings. It first examines the symbolic meaning of light in various religions, the psychological and physiological influences of light on humans, and the historical tradition of light in religious buildings, with its correlation to the religious practices conducted in those buildings. Various strategies for employing daylight are then surveyed. This paper then presents case studies of notable religious buildings which put into practice the techniques previously identified, evaluating the resulting symbolic expression of daylight in view of the religious tradition and intent. Finally, the conclusions gained from the case studies and the prior research are reviewed and integrated into design conclusions and recommendations. An applied design project incorporating the principles established in the study is included as an appendix. Ill Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT................................................................................................................ iii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS .....................................................................................viii LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................ Ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS...................................................................................... xi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..........................................................................................x CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1 Statement of Problem: The Reason for Studying Daylight in Religious Buildings PART L REVIEW OF PREVIOUS RESEARCH CHAPTER 2 THE STUDY OF LIGHT: ITS PSYCHOLOGICAL. PHYSIOLOGICAL AND SYMBOLIC FACTORS......................................... 6 Psychological and Physiological Aspects of Light ...................................... 7 Psychological Research on Architectural Lighting.................................... 13 Light as Religious Symbol ............................................................................15 CHAPTER 3 ARCHITECTURAL DAYLIGHTING.................................................20 Daylighting and Sunlighting Structures ...................................................... 22 Design Tools Available.................................................................................25 I ES Design and Analytical Approaches...................................................... 28 Luminance Environment Design Approach..................................... 30 Computerized Daylighting Design Assistance............................................31 Considerations in Daylighting Design........................................................ 33 Surfaces............................................................................................. 35 Artificial Lighting.................................................................................35 Cost of Daylighting ........................................................................... 36 Goal of Worship Services in Various Religions........................................ 37 Strategies for Creating an Emotional Effect with Daylighting................... 41 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. PART II. CASE STUDIES CHAPTER 4 METHODOLOGY............................................................................ 43 CHAPTER 5 HAGIA SOPHIA............................................................................... 47 Religious Tradition and Context...................................................... 47 Architectural Era and Tradition......................................................... 54 Structural System ............................................................................. 55 Solar Orientation and Angle Analysis..............................................56 Daylighting Design Concept ............................................................. 57 Daylighting Techniques ....................................................................57 Resulting Effect and Relation to Religious Goal.............................59 CHAPTER 6 CHARTRES CATHEDRAL............................................................. 64 Religious Tradition and Context; Architectural Era and Tradition.............................................................................. 64 Structural System ............................................................................. 72 Solar Orientation and Angle Analysis..............................................73 Daylighting Design Concept ............................................................. 73 Daylighting Techniques ....................................................................74 Resulting Effect and Relation to Religious Goal.............................76 CHAPTER 7 PILGRIMAGE CHURCH OF THE VIERZEHNHEILIGEN ..................................................................................81 Religious Tradition and Context.....................................................