2024 - Come to where the light shines

Urban villages, as integral yet distinct entities within the urban tapestry, present notable challenges and dilemmas concerning their lighting conditions amidst the relentless march of urbanization. The proposed design intervention is set within the historic confines of Nantou Ancient Town in Shenzhen. A confluence of factors—historical legacy, outdated urban planning, and skewed spatial resource distribution—has resulted in a pervasive issue of insufficient daylight, obsolete lighting infrastructure, and uneven lighting distribution within these urban enclaves.

The dense architectural layout significantly impedes the natural diffusion of sunlight, culminating in a suboptimal lighting environment. This not only disrupts the daily routines of residents but also carries significant implications for the circadian rhythms and psychological well-being, particularly for the elderly. In the context of the constrained and limited residential spaces that afford scant opportunities for social engagement, the elderly often experience heightened feelings of loneliness and social alienation. Access to sunlight emerges as a coveted amenity in such settings.

In the face of the stark reality of these cramped and dimly lit urban villages, many seniors find themselves confined within the confines of their homes, year-round devoid of natural light exposure. They too are entitled to the right to bask in the sun’s embrace, to step forth from the shadows into spaces bathed in light.

Applying a typological analysis to the labyrinthine backstreets of Nantou Ancient City, where a hodgepodge of dwellings with narrow gaps has emerged from historical development, a spectrum of light ingress patterns is revealed. Through meticulous examination, these diverse forms of light penetration can be systematically classified into six distinct archetypes:
1. Linear Type: The elongated and slender alleyways permit light to pierce through, casting sharp contrasts of luminosity and shadow.
2. Arrowhead Type: Structures converging at acute angles concentrate light akin to the points of arrows, illuminating the confined nooks.
3. T-Type: Configurations arranged in the shape of a T admit light from the peripheries, creating zones of stark light and shade.
4. Cross-Type: Paths intersecting like a cross receive light from various angles, fostering a balanced and uniform spread of illumination.
5. L-Type: The L-shaped arrangements reflect light off surfaces, generating gentle and nuanced lighting effects.
6. Courtyard Type: Central courtyards function as light wells, funneling natural light deep into the recesses of the structures.

Drawing upon the insights gleaned from typological analysis, the concept of a light guide tower at the urban village’s intersection emerges. In these densely populated areas, the towering structures above deprive the lower levels of sunlight, yet the residents’ yearning for daylight remains undiminished. A floating solar concentration apparatus addresses this by capturing and concentrating daylight, subsequently channeling it through fiber optics to the subterranean levels, bestowing warmth and the glow of the sun upon those below.In terms of integration, the light guide module harnesses the collected sunlight to orchestrate a sequence of illuminated spaces. The summit of the concentration device doubles as a vantage point, amassing sunlight while affording residents an expansive vista, thereby enriching their existence.

Architecturally, the light tower illuminates the environs; on the scale of the Nantou block, these light towers forge connections, reshaping the entire block’s luminous landscape and reinvigorating the Nantou block’s light milieu. The enlivened lighting and the reimagined accessibility of the block beckon individuals to emerge from the gloomy corners and come to the places where light shines.