OMSI Science Pub Eugene: Architecture

Simulating the Experience of Daylight in Buildings

With Siobhan Rockcastle, PhD, Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Oregon, Director of the Baker Lighting Lab, and co-founder of OCULIGHT dynamics

June 13, 2019 | 6:30-8:30PM; Doors open @ 5PM | $5 Suggested Donation
 

Daylight can have a range of positive and negative effects on our health, comfort, and experience in buildings. It provides the electromagnetic energy we need to see, enhances our perception of space with light and shadow, and drives the production of hormones responsible for entraining our circadian system. Daylight can also cause discomfort in the form of glare and overheating. In this talk, Siobhan Rockcastle will present her research on the effects of daylight on human well-being – from the development of simulation tools for modelling the impacts of light in buildings to her work with virtual reality, which allows users to experience daylit spaces in an immersive way and make informed design decisions before a building is constructed. A sample of these virtual environments will be shared using Oculus Rift and webVR through google cardboard.

Siobhan Rockcastle is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Oregon, Director of the Baker Lighting Lab, and co-founder of OCULIGHT dynamics, a company offering specialized daylight design support to promote healthy indoor occupation. She explores topics at the intersection of architectural design, environmental dynamics, human perception, and daylight performance. Siobhan’s research uses simulation and virtual reality to model and design experiential lighting environments. She has a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell, a Master of Science in Architectural Studies from MIT, and a PhD in Architecture and Science of the City from the EPFL. Both her Master and PhD theses received recognition, with a ‘Top Thesis Award’ and ‘Special Distinction,’ respectively.

Before the start of her position at the University of Oregon, Siobhan worked for Snøhetta NY, MSR design, Epiphyte lab, and Gensler and taught classes at Cornell, Northeastern, and EPFL. She consults on lighting design integration and environmental performance for a number of architectural and urban-scale projects in Switzerland and the USA. As a continuation of her work at MIT, Siobhan’s PhD research proposed new metrics that predict the impacts of daylight and spatial composition on perception and emotion in architecture. She has co-authored journal papers in Building & Environment and Lighting Research & Technology and presented her research at IBPSA International, SimAUD, Velux Daylight Symposium, LUX EUROPA, LIGHTFAIR International, and Transsolar Research Days.

Science Pub Eugene is a monthly event that is open to anyone and everyone. No RSVP or scientific background required. Just bring your curiosity, sense of humor, and appetite for food, drinks, and knowledge! For more information or to sign up for our mailing list, email: sciencepub@omsi.edu.