Baker Lighting Lab supports a range of courses, or modules within course, that study the integration of light in the built environment. While some of these courses are a permanent fixture in the architecture and interior architecture curriculums, others are introduced as advanced technical electives and rotate depending on the year. Check back regularly for updated course offerings.
ECS I: Shading Devices and Case Studies
This course focuses on design strategies that give foundational information and tools to apply at the schematic design level. Passive architectural solutions will be emphasized, yet active (mechanical/electrical) solutions will also be covered. Major topics include the environmental design of buildings and communities with regard to energy use, conservation, thermal comfort, cognizant codes and standards, HVAC systems, renewable energy, indoor air quality, measurement and verification, vertical transportation, and the tools needed to understand an ecological approach to design.
ECS I students research, design, and build shading device models to reduce solar heat gain in the Prince Lucien Campbell office building on the University of Oregon campus. The use of Baker Lighting Lab services plays a critical role in the analysis of the students shading device design. The students are then given the opportunity to investigate building performance through a team research project investigating the indoor environment, occupant well-being, and energy-use. The equipment from the Baker Lighting Lab plays a critical role in data collection and analysis.
To see student work from ECS I, click here.
ECS II: Lighting, Acoustical, and Water & Waste Modifications
This course focuses on the influence of energy source, climate, heating, cooling, lighting, acoustics, and water and waste systems on the design of buildings and sites. It investigates the implications of lighting, acoustics, and water and waste for architectural design.
The students in ECS II team up to analyze the existing daylighting conditions in a local building using a daylighting model and Baker Lighting Lab illuminance meters. The students then propose alterations to enhance the daylighting conditions of their chosen space. As a group, the students then turn their focus to electric lighting through the design and fabrication of a luminaire that fulfills the needs of their space. They also create acoustical recommendations for the space. All the enhancements are then presented in a “Redesign” poster. The Baker Lighting Lab plays a critical role in the data collection and analysis of the Lighting and Acoustical Modifications presentations.
To see student work from ECS II, click here.
Electric Lighting: Case Study and Luminaire
The goal of the course is to develop skill in the design of the luminous environment using electric lighting, and in the design integration of electric light sources and architectural space. This course requires the active participation of all students in lecture/discussions, readings and project presentations. Two projects will be taken through a defined design process including: concept identification: development of lighting design strategies; lamp and luminaire specifications; calculations; and, representation.
This interior architecture course evaluates the interior electric lighting conditions in projects around the world to inspire their own electric lighting re-design of a local space. The students design their own interior lighting scheme that culminates in the design and fabrications of a luminaire for their chosen space. The services and equipment provided by the Baker Lighting Lab are critical in data collection and luminaire analysis.
To see student work from electric lighting, click here.
Daylighting: Daylighting Models and Analysis
“Daylighting” is defined by the increased energy efficiency of a building by maximizing the amount of daylight versus electric light. In this course, students will learn how daylighting can be used as an element in architectural design. They will learn how to manipulate light in design of an architectural space. As a part of a design team, the students will explore top lighting and side lighting strategies in a given space. The students will understand how light and color play integral and powerful roles in architecture and how they need to be considered from the start of the design process. Daylighting models and photography will be used throughout the course to study the behavior of light.
Students evaluate top lighting and side lighting conditions in a space and evaluate their design qualities. They propose new strategies for how to create a balanced lighting strategy within a space based on top lighting and side lighting focuses and present their findings in a final presentation. The Baker Lighting Lab plays a critical role in the data collection process for the daylighting models.
To see student work from daylighting, click here.
Human Centric Environments: Field Studies on Human Experience
This course introduces a range of methods for evaluating the effects of outdoor climate on human perception, behavior, and well-being in the indoor environment. By exploring the dynamics of indoor environments; driven by climate, time, and use factors, students will investigate the impacts those dynamics have on physiological, behavioral, and psychological human responses in architecture. Building on a series of lectures, this course will offer hands-on instructional sessions in simulation, instrumentation, and survey methods geared towards assessing the impact of climatic factors on human perception and well-being indoors. In small teams, we will then use a mix of methods to evaluate an existing building and or design project on campus and the interpretations each method may offer to our holistic understanding of environmental performance in that space.
After completing numerous hands-on workshops learning how to use equipment provided by the Baker Lighting Lab, the student set out to evaluate an existing building on campus. The students take measurements and observations of their site’s existing conditions and offer their interpretations of its environmental performance. A final project is submitted at the end of the term.
To see student work from human-centric environments, click here.
High Performance Buildings: Design and Evaluation
This seminar explores theory and methods behind the making of high performance buildings (HIPB) and their performance evaluation. It introduces students to tools and techniques of post-occupancy evaluations and performance simulations. This seminar focuses on real HIPB projects in an hands-on learning approach engaging students in an on-going performance evaluation of three LEED platinum projects.
Throughout the term, students complete a comparative analysis of the theory, design process, and performance of two LEED Projects. The students end the term by completing a detailed post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of a LEED Platinum Building from process to product. The Baker Lighting Lab plays a critical role in the process of creating the two comparative analysis projects and the final POE.
Sustainable Lighting Design (PDX)
Course Description Coming Soon!