| Title |
Role and Signification of Natural Light flowed into the Worship Spaces of Le Corbusier’s Religious Architecture |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK_PD.2017.33.8.47 |
| Keywords |
Le Corbusier ; Religious Architecture ; Worship Space ; Natural Light ; Color |
| Abstract |
The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of natural light and to expose its spatial role and signification in the worship spaces of Le Corbusier’s Chapelle Notre Dame du Haut and Couvent Sainte Marie de la Tourette. In case of lights of which their light sources are exposed, most of them brighten upper part of the worship spaces and back walls of the altar where are not illuminated by artificial lighting, and save spatial qualities like an inside dynamics. Even though the light source of the south wall at Ronchamp is exposed, like a canvas painted with colors of light, its exceptional quality inspires mystic and spiritual atmosphere in the pilgrim church. On the other hand, lights of which their sources are concealed contribute to creating a stable, divine and introversive environment in two worship spaces. Light accompanied by color is also the main feature of two worship spaces. In this case, colorless lights play a role as an exposed light sources. Colored glass windows of South wall at Ronchamp is a contemporary analysis of a stained glass in traditional churches and expose architecture as a composite art by revealing Le Corbusier’s artistic sensibilities. Quite and sublime lights in three small chapels at Ronchamp maintain a sense of security which is necessary for worship space by confronting colorful light of the south wall. At the Couvent de la Tourette, lights loaded with colors and with depth gain introversive spatial quality which is necessary for a sanctuary attached to a couvent. In Le Corbusier’s two worship spaces, position and shape of openings and direction of lights through them have been elaborated. It means that light and spatiality are closely connected. At Ronchamp, two representative but quite different lights through the south wall and in three small chapels hold on each quality and keep balance between sense of movement and security. At the Couvent de la Tourette, several shapes and three-dimensionally positioned openings and direction of lights awaken vitality in the darkness by giving movement and directivity. |