While most people focus on the harmful effects sunlight can have on your skin, sunlight can also stimulate creativity and generally make people feel better when incorporated into the design of buildings. PSFK has tossed around the idea of “light as luxury” before, but a new school south of central Copenhagen has taken it to a whole new level. Designed by 3XN, Orestad College (actually a high school) has been designed to show a new way of education and is a landmark building for the developing city.
The coolhunter gives a superb description of how natural light has been incorporated into the overall design of the building:
The superstructure of the building is formed by four boomerang-shaped platforms that rotate over four floors and remain open to one another allowing for a seamless interconnection of space throughout the school. This open, high central hall, known as the X-zone, is linked by a stairway that helps promote interdisciplinary communication and cooperation among the various teaching and study spaces.
Transparent glass shades automatically rotate on the exterior of the building allowing light in and providing an array of colors to the interior environments. By manipulating the sunlight the entire student body becomes aware of the passing of time and the changing of the seasons as the school year progresses.
