Controlling daylight reflectance with cyber-physical systems

Cyber-physical systems increasingly inform and alter the perception of atmospheric conditions within interior environments. The Catoptric Surface research project uses computation and robotics to precisely control the location of reflected daylight through a building envelope to form an image-based pattern of light on the building interior’s surfaces. In an attempt to amplify or reduce spatial perception, the daylighting reflected onto architectural surfaces within a built environment generates atmospheric effects. The modification of light patterns mapped onto existing or new surfaces enables the perception of space to not rely on form alone. The mapping of a new pattern that is independent of architectural surfaces creates a visual effect of a formless atmosphere and holds the potential to affect the way people interact with the space. People need different amounts and quality of daylight depending on physiological differences due to age or the types of tasks they perform. This research argues for an informed luminous and atmospheric environment that is relative both to the user and more conceptual architectural aspirations of spatial perception controlled by a cyber-physical robotic façade system.