Nightscape

Abstract

Light can be a wonderful thing. It allows one to see in the dark. Since the development of lamps, the intention has been to eliminate darkness from the night, as darkness is associated with danger, demons, the unknown, and all sorts of ‘scary’ things that lurk in the dark. Although light is helpful, dark nights are also needed. Not only did humankind use the position of stars to navigate or measure time, but it also inspired the artistic and philosophical aspects of wonder and awe at night. This thesis project started with a personal fascination for the night sky. The research focuses on the consequences of using artificial light at night. Light not only prohibits sight of the stars but also negatively impacts both flora and fauna.
Moreover, that is not the only effect of artificial light at night. The natural human experience of the night also changes due to excessive light use. Darkness is being pushed out of the nocturnal experience under the belief that light leads to safety, while research shows no significant correlation between light and actual safety.
Light use at night is continuing. As recent studies show, artificial light at night is increasing by 6% a year on a global scale, causing an increase in light pollution issues. Therefore, this report argues that we are losing the night. It describes the harmful effects of light on nocturnal ecology, human health, and the nocturnal landscape experience. This subject is gaining more interest in recent years but is still underrated and not (yet) put on the agenda of governments and municipalities as much as this report argues that it should. This report aims to contribute to a raising awareness for the topic and as an example of possible explorations of how to treat the experience of the night and nocturnal ecology in design by creating dark connections, transitions in the landscape, and new spatial lighting guidelines for the urban context. The goal is not to switch off light but to examine different possibilities of using light in a night-friendly way. Ultimately, this report could be a sound principle for nocturnal urban design and how to deal with the far-stretching consequences lurking in the light.