2017 - Daylight Symposium
“Daylight as a qualitative aspect and driving element in developing architecture“ by Stefan Behnisch
Speakers
Stefan Behnisch
Architect, lecturer and guest professor
Behnisch & Partner
Lecture from the 7th VELUX Daylight Symposium “Healthy & climate-friendly architecture– from knowledge to practice” that took place in Berlin on 3-4 May 2017.
For more information visit http://thedaylightsite.com
Depending on the geographical location of a future building site, the aspect of daylight plays a different role. The sun is either a friend or a foe, an asset or a problem, we have to protect against or have to enhance. In some geographical locations, we are as well in need off, but have at the same time to protect our buildings against direct sunlight.
Its important for our wellbeing, but its source is also creating major challenges. I will describe different strategies to protect against, and at the same time enhance its influence for the inhabitants of our buildings. How do these various criteria inform our design process and challenge and promote the formal development of our buildings. The placing of openings, designing of movable and still sun protection and invention of of daylight enhancing systems create a new contemporary architectural apparatus.
Where in the past, i.e. the Renaissance, structural restraints were overcome by creating a formal architectural apparatus, we are facing today new challenges, motivating us to develop new formal languages. Stefan Behnisch, studied philosophy, economics and architecture. Prior to establishing his own practice in 1989, he worked as an architect at Behnisch & Partner, the practice run by his father, Prof. Günter Behnisch. Since 2005 Stefan Behnisch’s firm is called Behnisch Architekten, opening offices in Los Angeles (1999-2011), Boston and Munich. Stefan Behnisch is a frequent lecturer and guest professor. In 2007 he received a Global Award for Sustainable Architecture, in 2013 Stefan Behnisch the “Energy Performance + Architecture Award”. He is a member of the BDA, the RIBA, the NCARB and the AIA.
