40 431 Daylight – Tools and Method (Spring 2027)

This course introduces frameworks and methods for assessing daylight quantity and quality in existing buildings and in early design phases, with particular attention to the conditions of high northern latitudes.

While the biological and spatial significance of daylight is well established, contemporary architectural practice often treats daylight primarily as a technical requirement rather than as a formative premise for design. At high latitudes, low sun angles, prolonged twilight, predominantly overcast skies and significant seasonal variations create particular conditions for architecture and require careful consideration of spatial proportions, structure, openings, materials and context.

The course examines how daylight can be observed, measured, represented and assessed through qualitative and quantitative methods. Physical observation and measurement are combined with analogue and digital modelling and simulation to investigate relationships between measurable daylight performance and perceived spatial qualities. AI-supported methods are introduced and critically examined in relation to established assessment methods and direct observation.

Students first investigate daylight conditions in selected existing housing projects in Oslo, developed in collaboration with participating architectural offices. The methods are subsequently applied to ongoing housing projects in early design phases during an intensive period of practice within an architectural office during the Elective week. Through this exchange between academic inquiry and professional practice, the course examines how daylight knowledge can inform architectural decisions and contribute to the development of better daylight conditions in the built environmen

• Explain the specific characteristics of daylight at high northern latitudes and how climate, context, architectural form, structure, proportions, openings and materials shape daylight conditions.
• Analyse and document daylight quantity and quality through physical observation, architectural drawings, measurements and digital simulations.
• Apply and critically evaluate established and analogue, digital and AI-supported methods for daylight assessment and representation.
• Relate measurable daylight performance to architectural decisions and perceived spatial qualities.
• Apply and adapt a structured daylight assessment method to existing buildings and ongoing architectural projects in early design phases.
• Integrate and communicate quantitative and qualitative findings through coherent architectural daylight assessments for academic and professional contexts.

The course combines lectures, seminars, case-based analysis, fieldwork and peer reviews. Lectures introduce daylight theory, metrics and assessment methods, while seminars and reviews address the relationship between measurable daylight performance and spatial experience.

Teaching is research-based and connected to the research group DA/S — Daylight and Structure. Students receive continuous feedback through desk critiques, peer reviews and interim presentations. The semester concludes with a collective presentation bringing together findings from the case studies and professional practice, with participating architectural offices invited to AHO.

Mandatory activities:

Lectures, office interview, practice in office during the elective week and interim reviews.

Assessment method: Report

Grouping: Individual

Grading scale: Pass/fail

The assessment is based on two individual daylight reports: a case study of an existing building (Module 1) and an application of the assessment method to an ongoing architectural project (Module 2). The reports are assessed on the student’s ability to integrate qualitative and quantitative daylight analysis with architectural interpretation and critical methodological reflection.