HYPOTHESIS

This project comprises a response to the urban phenomena of light pollution combined with a residential solution. This stems from a study of urbanism that highlighted a common by-product of cities, the world over; light pollution. This study not only included the results of light pollution, but also the causes of this phenomenon. Todays 24 hour society, both in social and professional terms, is a large attribute for an increase in lighting at night

The governing body of Seoul has recently passed legislation that will limit the amount of lighting a building can produce, depending on the time of day and the location within the city. This landmark law to limit the phenomena of light pollution will provide an example for other cities worldwide to follow. This trend could lead to a new surreal duality with distinct boundaries between day and night; experiences not often encountered within the blurred hours of a brightly lit urban area. Due to the continuous nature of light pollution, one does not become aware of its effects whilst in the urban environment. It is only upon leaving such an environment, or through drastic change that one comes to appreciate the experience light pollution inflicts upon the populous of cities.

The resultant typology of this investigation is a residential building that caters to the needs of late night workers. Those with antisocial working hours have had their natural body clocks, or circadian rhythms, distorted by the necessities of their lifestyle. As they start their day, much of the population are finishing theirs. Whilst they work, others socialise or rest. It is this lifestyle that can lead to do disorientation or alienation from the rest of the populous. The proposed building should provide a solution to this dilemma.

METHODOLOGY

This project addresses the problem of light pollution through dissecting and rationalising the phenomena itself. The themes of layers and reflections are used to explore how external and internal light sources can be put to use in architectural construct.

The 24 hour lifestyle of a major city such as Seoul puts forwards a new scenario. With residents working at all hours of the day, a new reality needs to be constructed to meet the needs of these individuals. In this environment, night would become day and vice versa, resulting in a sense of normalcy to mesh with the antisocial hours of working at night. The proposal of this scheme is to design a residential complex that accommodates this augmented reality. Whilst the basis for this project is formed of a hybrid typology of residential block and workplace, these two typologies play different roles in the buildings agenda.

The proposed scheme will be a residential typology, with facilities catering to this specification. The workplace typology comes into play when identifying the target client. These will be people who work overnight or other antisocial hours. The project initially focuses on Korean living, and the various aspects of Korean life that are instrumental in such a residential complex. Following this, the specific client is identified, including their daily routine, wants and needs.

Parallel to this, an investigation into the phenomena of light and, in specific, light pollution is being conducted. The purpose of this is to look at how such a phenomenon can be harnessed and used as an instrument with which to achieve the new reality that this building calls for. Whilst it may not be possible to diminish the effects of light pollution through the design of one building, it can highlight the effects that our lifestyles are having. A device will integrated that will illustrate to anyone nearby the effects of light pollution on an area. This could also be harnessed to filter light through the building, reducing the reliance on electricity and thus, the creation of more light pollution.

POTENTIAL OUTCOME

All of the previously described investigative strands are all then brought together to comprise a building that brings the concept and life of a night-worker back in synchronisation with that of a day-worker, so that these two peoples can mix seamlessly, with little heed given to sleeping patterns or working conditions.

Were this project completed, it would introduce a new typology to the Korean urban fabric. Those working throughout the night will be able to have a new circadian rhythm, one that does not have any of the drawbacks currently present due to their lifestyle. For those who do not require a change to their internal clock, a new perspective will be created into light pollution through the physical representation of the effects of this unnatural phenomenon.