Connection - Sundial
 
Thesis
    Statement
    Concepts
    inspirations
    connection
      introduction
      sundial
      windmill
      waterwheel
      a planted tree
      footbridges
      dragon
      the path
      conclusion
    vocabulary
    Precedents
    Site
    Programme
    Scratch Pad

EcoResearch

Bibliography

Portfolio


    Helius drives his four-horse chariot across the sky each day and his sister, Selene, watches over the darkened earth by night.  The sun warms us, nourishes plant life, and directs the planet’s climate.  It is our ultimate energy source.  Healthy urban spaces must contain sunlight.  In a nordic climate such as Montréal’s, outdoor spaces should be oriented to capture the sun from the south.  They can be designed to create micro-climates sheltered from the winter winds.  However, these same spaces need trees and other shading for the warm summer months.  Natural daylight is healthy and delivered free of charge everyday of the year.
    The sun’s shadow is a powerful design opportunity to track the passage of Helius as he crosses the sky.  The shadow not only shows the passage of time during the day, but its position also indicates what time of year it is.  The shadow can pass over surfaces and thus animate them and change their appearances throughout the day.  This creates shifting perspectives and opportunities to experience different aspects of a place depending on the time of day and time of year.  The place can become alive.  The sun brings life to plants, protects us from darkness, and allows its shadows to enliven an environment.  Its reflection can dance off of water and further change the dynamic of a space. 
    Knowing the angle of the sun’s shadow helps us to design for passive solar gain in the winter and shading in the summer.  Building heights and orientations can take full advantage of the sun; however, care must be taken no to shadow neighbours.  Daylighting and shading techniques can be used to reduce cooling requirements in the summer and heating in the winter.  Our very awareness of natural lighting conditions puts us in contact with changing weather patterns and the cycle of seasons.
    The moon softens the night and also lets us look towards the stars.  I have heard that the foundations of human belief in the heavens was based on their perceived perfection as they remained visibly predictable and ‘unchanged’ despite the daily turmoil of natural events on earth.  The stars thus provided prehistoric man something ‘perfect’ to believe in and something ‘perfect’ to aspire to.  The night sky will always be captivating; therefore, city planning should consider the energy savings related to reduced light pollution and the beauty of being able to observe the stars.