2024 - Solarscape: Lighting Shore Lifes

Our project SOLARSCAPE, LIGHTING SHORE LIVES is an ambitious initiative to bring light to Southkhali, a disaster-prone village in Bangladesh, through the transformative power of daylight. This proposal harnesses solar optical technology to provide sustainable, resilient lighting solutions, addressing the critical needs of a community that lacks access to electricity. Southkhali, a remote village situated in the coastal region of Bangladesh, is frequently impacted by cyclones, floods, and other natural disasters. The village’s geographical susceptibility has resulted in a lack of crucial infrastructure, particularly electricity. Consequently, the absence of electric lighting has compelled residents to rely on inefficient and hazardous sources such as kerosene lamps, which not only pose significant health risks but also impede daily activities after sunset. Our initiative is designed to address this critical challenge by harnessing the abundant daylight available in the region, thereby establishing a dependable and sustainable source of illumination. The main concept underpinning SOLARSCAPE: LIGHTING SHORE LIVES revolves around the utilization of a solar optical system to capture, concentrate, and disseminate daylight within residential, public, and communal structures. The design draws inspiration from the innate capacity of light to permeate and transfigure spaces, thereby augmenting their utility and visual allure. Through the incorporation of cutting-edge daylighting technologies, our objective is to establish an autonomous lighting infrastructure that not only illuminates but also enriches the lives of Southkhali’s inhabitants.

Solar Light Collectors: The project incorporates strategically positioned solar collectors on the rooftops and in open spaces. These collectors are equipped with advanced Fresnel lenses and parabolic mirrors, which serve to efficiently capture and concentrate sunlight. The captured sunlight is then redirected through a network of high-quality optical fibers to illuminate interior spaces. The placement and alignment of the collectors are meticulously optimized to ensure the maximum capture of sunlight throughout the day, enhancing the overall energy efficiency of the system.
Light Transport and Distribution: The concentrated light is transmitted using highly efficient optical fibers to multiple locations within the village. These fibers are directed through underground conduits and elevated pathways, ensuring minimal disruption to the village landscape while delivering a dependable light supply. The fibers terminate in diffusers and luminaries engineered to replicate natural daylight, thus ensuring a gentle, uniform dispersion of light.
Community Hubs: At the heart of the design are the community hubs, which serve as multi-functional spaces encompassing educational, social, and healthcare facilities. These hubs boast distinctive architecture, featuring translucent facades and strategically positioned light wells that optimize the ingress of natural light. This design ensures that the spaces remain well-illuminated during daylight hours, thereby reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
Residential Lighting Solutions: For individual homes, the project integrates a system of adjustable light panels and reflectors. These components are designed to provide personalized lighting solutions, allowing residents to control the intensity and direction of light based on their needs. The use of daylight for indoor lighting improves the living environment, promoting health and well-being.

Disaster Resilience: Given Southkhali’s vulnerability to natural disasters, the design incorporates resilient features. The solar optical system is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, with robust materials and construction methods ensuring durability. Additionally, the modular nature of the system allows for easy maintenance and repair, crucial for post-disaster recovery.

Sustainable Impact: The project places a strong emphasis on sustainability by harnessing the power of renewable solar energy. Through the implementation of solar energy systems, the project significantly reduces the community’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources such as kerosene. This not only helps to mitigate the environmental impact but also contributes to the overall well-being of the community by promoting a cleaner and healthier living environment.
In addition to its environmental benefits, the initiative also aims to create local employment opportunities. This will be achieved through the establishment of roles for community members in the installation and maintenance of the solar optical systems. By providing these job opportunities, the project will play a key role in bolstering the economic resilience of the village and empowering its inhabitants.
It serves as a prime example of how architectural innovation can effectively tackle pressing social and environmental issues. By harnessing the abundant power of natural daylight, this project offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to the village’s lighting requirements, significantly enhancing the overall well-being of its inhabitants. The design not only serves the functional purpose of lighting up physical spaces, but also plays a pivotal role in empowering the community, fostering a sense of resilience and self-sufficiency. As a submission to the esteemed International VELUX Award, this project underscores the transformative potential of incorporating daylight into architectural designs, effectively demonstrating how intentional and thoughtful design can bring illumination and hope to even the most remote and underserved areas of the world.