Name: Why light needs darkness
Uploaded: 2011-03-17T15:08:00Z
Duration: 16 min 34 s
Description: Lighting architect Rogier van der Heide offers a beautiful new way to look at the world -- by paying attention to light (and to darkness). Examples from classic buildings illustrate a deeply thought-out vision of the play of light around us.

Lighting architect Rogier van der Heide offers a beautiful new way to look at the world -- by paying attention to light (and to darkness). Examples from classic buildings illustrate a deeply thought-out vision of the play of light around us.

Why light needs darkness

Great lighting is inseparable from darkness; the most inspiring buildings use shadow to reveal beauty, comfort, and meaning. Iconic spaces like the Pantheon or the High Museum in Atlanta show how daylight, when balanced with shadow, transforms how people feel and interact. As urbanization surges and LEDs shrink, designers can place light exactly where needed, leaving darkness untouched and preserving the wonder of starry skies. When light and shadow are thoughtfully combined, even ordinary rooms become vibrant, healthy places that enrich daily life.