Visual studies, a new opportunity for the theoretical thinking of the architectural lighting design

Architectural lighting design is the result of a visual architectural thinking. Its aim is to organize the visual perception of anybody enjoying the built environment, user, or beholder. It enshrouds perceptual expectations until the moment they will accompany their interpretation of the space through the perception of the “light gradients and shadows” we use to recognize, and more precisely identify, parts of our environment or objects. The simple use of the word light, a visual material par excellence, implies that the lighting design process consists in the laying of light luminances on the various surfaces within, upon and all around the architecture with an indisputable semantical and aesthetical significance. A very similar process to what happens during the realization of a painting.The visual studies investigation field has taught us that the comprehension and the interpretation of the image has evolved since the earliest times of the civilization. The transitions between the various forms of religious, political powers on one side, and along the whole evolution of the scientifical and technological history on the other side, have determined a shift within its meaning in terms of representation of both our imagination and the reality we are surrounded by. Because of the straight relationship between image and light, and also because this investigation field is able to provide us new elements of language, new standards of reflection in terms of historical, socio-cultural or contextual analysis, visual studies clearly appears to us as an opportunity to add a space of reflection about the theoretical thinking and the teaching of lighting design, but also, under a more practical point of view, in order to go up on a higher step toward a more accurate, a more sensible narration of the lighting project.Because of the diversity of the perspective it provides about visual perception, and because of the straight relationship between image and light, it appears to us as an opportunity for hosting a space of reflection dedicated to light and lighting able to develop the narration, the teaching and the practice of the lighting design.