Use of Natural Light for Catholic Sacred Architecture: Technological Strategies and Symbolic Values

Natural light can filter and penetrate into the spaces through openings and cuts in the envelope going from time to highlight spaces, revealing details and creating atmospheres. The control and diffusion of natural light are strategic to ensure the right light intensity and are, in fact, critical points to manage when it comes to daylighting. One of the first metaphors that we use for an instant understanding of the concept of “holiness” is “light”. Since ancient times, sacred architecture has tried to emphasize this intuitive metaphor through a design capable to underline into spaces of darkness the entering of light rays. An emblematic case of creating strategic effect of interplay between light and shadow is possible to be found in the gothic cathedrals. Even in modern and contemporary architecture, a typical design strategy for the project of a mystical atmosphere is guiding people attention with the help of light as a symbolic direction. This strategy let people forget the outside world moving towards a mystical concentration. The work intends to propose some reflections on the role that natural light has in the design of catholic sacred architecture both from the formal-expressive and from the functional-technological point of view through the analysis of some emblematic cases. This role is, moreover, particularly strategic also in relation to the correct lighting of the art world very often present and necessary for the visual enjoyment of the same. In this regards is very important how light sources are set both for the visual enjoyment of the art works and when their valorization is also required. Among the aspects to be considered also, any damage that light can bring to the art works as incorrect illumination can lead to degradation. The work, therefore, will deal with the performance aspects of natural lighting that, in line with the specific functions of the sacred architecture, will concern not only comfort in its various forms but also the relationship between lighting strategy, materials used and technological solution adopted.