Light and shadow : the exploration of sustainable design in the Fiat Lux! project

Abstract

Light, whether natural or artificial, is essential for illuminating spaces and the activities carried out within them. It enables the perception of three-dimensionality and evokes sensations in humans through its intensity and temperature. Simultaneously, light is inseparable from shadow, which allows for the creation of contrasts, enhances the perception of forms and spaces, and can add dramatic, grotesque, or poetic effects to them. From the discovery of fire in prehistoric times to the invention of the first practical and efficient incandescent lamp by Thomas Edison in 1879, artificial lighting has always been crucial. It serves purposes ranging from human defence and security to socialization, comfort, and visibility within spaces, enabling the execution of tasks that were previously achievable only during daylight hours. This article addresses the process of creating and developing the ‘Fiat Lux!’ project, while considering the optimization of material and productive resources based on fundamental sustainability principles. The methodology adopted combines problem-based learning with learning by doing experience. The achieved results materialize the project's initial goals and have allowed first-year Product Design students from Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo to stimulate their imagination, creativity, and critical thinking. They explore the structural potential of flexible and semi-flexible materials, primarily cellulose-based materials.