Made of Light. The Art of Light and Architecture
To fully experience this site you need to have a java enabled browser. Alternatively, click here for the site map

Form

Form is the visual shape of mass and volume. Light makes form legible. There is no form without light. The manner in which light renders mass defines the essential relationship between architecture and light. The appearance of form is interpreted through the direction and intensity of light.

By altering the light you can not only re-define the shape of an object but also re-interpret its character and meaning. The form of architecture is therefore entirely reliant not only on the presence of light but also its quality.

The changing nature of natural light means that architecture is therefore being continuously, visually transformed. Light itself can have form but without mass. The shape of light can be defined through the manner in which it is defined by the presence of mass.

Click to return to Themes

Function. Image © Made of Light (TM) 2004. All rights reserved

Made of Light. The Art of Light and Architecture.
An education project conceived and designed by Speirs and Major Associates.
© Speirs and Major Associates.
Made of Light is a registered trade mark of Speirs and Major Associates Limited. All rights reserved.