Idea Formation

Light Background Research

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple

To begin this project, we researched work by famous architects to see how they control light in their projects. I researched Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple. This project has light coming in from a gridded skylight system above and a series of clerestories right under the roof.

3-d Light Sketch Model

Next, we created cardboard models “light machines” to get a sense of how light enters, reflects, and refracts in a real structure. A light was shined overhead to see how light entered. The aim was to get no direct light reaching the ground of the models; instead the aim was to get indirect reflected light to dominate. My models had too many openings that were not tight enough, which I corrected in an AutoCAD sketch.

Narrative

I have been selected to design a proposed non-denominational chapel located on the campus of SUNY Farmingdale. The College wants this to be a profoundly spiritual place that people of all faiths can worship and reflect on life’s events. The College believes this can be achieved by the creative use of light. The College has outlined a preliminary program that is listed below. A site has yet to selected on campus; the College is looking for guidance from the Architect. The building should be integrated into the fabric of the campus. The College explicitly requests the design not be symmetrical.

Preliminary Program:

Chapel

• Main Sanctuary; 50 people
• Memorial Side Chapel
• Meditation Side Chapel
• Lobby
• Storage
• Possible outdoor Chapel using one of the exterior walls
• Toilets

Offices

• Secretary Office
• Clergy’s Office
• Small Library and Conference Room