Architecture as a reference for the development of a CAD lighting tool

Résumé En

As light is increasingly perceived a factor of quality of urban life, it is not surprising that cultural heritage buildings and even civil engineering works are being more eften illuminated at night. The designers of the projetcs are revealing a nocturnal vision of the buildings which is often a reflection of the architecture : rhythm, pattern, evenness, symmetry, composition, axes, and so on. The idea of developping a "lighting-modeller" is based upon this assertion. Thus, if we express the needs in terms of functionalities, we can conclude that the hierarchical structure of the architectural edifice can fit in with a "lighting-structure". As a result, concepts like hierarchy, linking, grouping, networking, linearity-polarity, are the basis of the objects and functions that are effective for the great majority of buildings and projects. This "linghting-modeller" can then lead beyond its simulation capabilities to become a design conception tool : hypothesis and variants are quickly realized and tested, and technical data (illumination data, visual comfort) can be obtained as well.