Light and Emotion: Achieving Emotions in Landscape Architecture by Using Light

  • Carmina Constanta GHEORGHITA Technical University of Iasi
  • Mircea GRIGOROVSCHI Technical University of Iasi
  • Dragos Emil CIOLACU-MIRON Technical University of Iasi
Keywords: sentimental landscape, light and darkness, artificial light

Abstract

Environmental elements of built space, landscaping elements, comprise fixed, ephemeral, andtransforming elements, being perceived and experienced simultaneously or sequentially by users.However, what happens to these elements at night? They are metamorphosed, light shaping space andoutlining the scene. It is know that artificial light represents a valuable element for evoking emotionsin architectural spaces, but unfortunatelly in the design of the landscape spaces it is often overlooked.Until the 21st century, light has been primary used for its functional qualities: sight allowing, displayinglandscaped spaces during night time, providing shades in landscape, etc. beeing considered a truespatial element, an inspiring, authentic, and intrinsic element of landscape architecture. The perceptionof light and its effect on humans is subjective. Lighting determines the appreciation and influencespeople’s behavior: how they feel in a place, how they perceive it, behave in it, and how they use the place.Technology is allowing for new forms of lighting design with more opportunities to appeal to people’semotions due to a wider range of colors and interactive technologies.

Author Biographies

Carmina Constanta GHEORGHITA, Technical University of Iasi
Faculty of Architecture
Mircea GRIGOROVSCHI, Technical University of Iasi
Faculty of Architecture
Dragos Emil CIOLACU-MIRON, Technical University of Iasi
Faculty of Architecture
Published
2014-05-26