Lighting in Architectural Education

Abstract

In the past decade architectural education has been reappraised in order to meet more complex demands. This has already resulted in a shift from craft-based teaching to an approach which it is hoped will enable the future architect to deal confidently with new development. The present dynamic situation has emphasised the need for better understanding and collaboration between architects and other specialists, particularly lighting engineers, while there is also a need for a comprehensive approach to education for building. This paper studies the circumstances which now affect architects and the lighting engineers and which have influenced the way in which lighting is considered in architectural education. Few schools of architecture yet adopt similar techniques, although the general trend is towards an integration of lighting, in common with other technical subjects, throughout the design process. The courses now operating at The Polytechnic and Manchester University are presented separately in order to underline the diversity of approach.