VIRTUAL TEACHING OF LIGHTING TECHNIQUES TO ARCHITECTS

Abstract

The importance of experimental work for the education of Architecture students, since it creates a sensitive and cognitive experience, may lead to good results in terms of the students’ commitment to the course and to their intellectual production. To complement traditional teaching with virtual experiments in several areas in Environmental Comfort, we propose an alternative for the studies on Lighting Techniques: the simulation of lighting comfort using specific software. The current project usually demands more elaborate solutions; so, the final solutions become more balanced and integral. There is the need for specific studies on Lighting Techniques, regardless of how big a project is, i. e., everybody deserves the benefits a deep study offers, both for everyday tasks and spare time activities. Lighting Techniques are a powerful tool in spatial composition, therefore the subject should be part of the Architecture project since its beginning. The fact that its components are part of the subjects in the Architecture School is not enough; its study must be basically experimental and practical, so that it can reach its objective of conditioning physical space. We believe it can be done by using software that can be found in the market.