Exploring daylight: Using applications–based devices in environmental design education

As part of architecture and interior design education, most students are introduced to daylight, daylighting techniques and prediction within their discipline. However, the pedagogies employed in teaching the science of daylighting often encourage “technification” of the discipline and rarely compliment “designerly ways of knowing and thinking”, Cross (2011), particularly in the early stages of the design process. Considering these factors, we have proposed and tested changes in pedagogy related to lighting design education, trialling new technologies with groups of undergraduate students at our University. Students were given the opportunity to experience daylight modelling
aligned with architectural design studio pedagogy and practice through virtual simulation and a new educational daylight mobile and web app. We have found that our undergraduate students are engaging successfully with the app. In its third iteration we now have proposals for further implementation of this new learning tool as a consequence of using the app over three academic sessions. We see further potential in using this tool within postgraduate teaching
and continuing professional development within architectural practice.