Researching Lighting in the Built Environment: Techniques, Forms, and Effects (7.5 credits/hp)
This doctoral course is coordinated by the Division of Lighting Design at the Department of Architecture, KTH The Royal Institute of Technology. Course responsible is Ute Besenecker, Associate Professor in Lighting Design (ute.besenecker@arch.kth.se)
The course is open to doctoral students in fields related to designing and evaluating lighting in the built environment.
(Mark that the below draft outline is still subject to updates / changes)
Introduction
Doctoral students that research the intangible medium of light and lighting in the built environment work within a field that spans different disciplines. Lighting related research calls for an understanding of the technologies available to create and shape the qualities of light in space as well as of the effects that different lighting qualities have on experience, perception, and behavior in architectural and urban contexts. This requires the engagement with research methods and objectives from different disciplines that shape lighting practice, while also building the confidence to follow, and further develop, an architectural, design-based research approach.
In 5 modules, this course will address and discuss motivations, approaches, and techniques to research light and lighting within the context of informing architectural and urban design. Generally, the objective is for this course to provide tools to support the doctoral students in their own research journey and projects. The course aims to help the participants to define and communicate their own research approach more clearly within this interdisciplinary field and discuss their projects and methods. Another goal is to encourage reflection on how the students’ own interests relate to the larger context of the discipline, and to further strengthen and elevate the theoretical and practical foundation of research methods in this diverse field.
Overall Course Structure
The course is structured into 5 Modules. The modules will be composed of presentations, workshops and discussions based on preparatory readings and course activities.
• Module 1 (16-17 Mar 2023): Introduction to research in architectural and urban lighting: Overview, discussing selected examples from lighting research in different fields, such as architecture, design, engineering, art, and the sciences
• Module 2 (27-28 Apr 2023): Discussing a selection of techniques to develop knowledge in lighting design, e.g., collecting, analyzing, and describing information with and without participant involvement
• Module 3 (11-12 May 2023): Researching lighting-related experiential phenomena as driver and “form giver” for design; discussing examples
• Module 4 (7-8 Sep 2023): Researching lighting-related sustainability aspects as driver and “form giver” for design; discussing examples
• Module 5 (5-6 Oct 2023): Final Forum: Presentation and discussion of work produced during the course
General Information
• 7,5 ECTS credits, corresponding to 200 hrs (class time plus preparatory time)
• The course language is English
• Course assignments include readings, participation in class activities, written assignments and presentations related to positioning own approaches within the larger context of lighting research
• For a passing grade, the participant must demonstrate approved course assignments as well as at least 80% attendance at seminars and presentations
• A list of contributing guest teachers, readings and course locations will be shared soon
How to apply
Please send a short cv (1-page max.), statement of interest (1/2 page max.), and a short description of your doctoral research project, and PhD program (1 page max.) to: ute.besenecker@arch.kth.se.
The deadline for application is 17th of February 2023.