The image of open working and living spaces flooded with light has, more than any other, become fixed in our minds as a symbol of modernity and the spirit of the times. While the workplace has always been the focus of ergonomic studies and optimization with respect to a good provision of daylight, large glass surfaces have now become the order of the day for living spaces as well. But does this automatically make for better illumination? Taking this question as its starting point, the publication Illuminating thematizes central aspects of light planning, including the connection between the provision of daylight and architectural design, building orientation, the nature of the facade, the ground plan, comfort, and the proportions and atmosphere of rooms. In the process, general characteristics and fundamental principles as well as subtle facets of an intelligent treatment of daylight are discussed and critically examined within an expanded architecture- and culture-historical context.

Klaus Spechtenhauser is an art historian and Slavist. Since 2002 he has been a research associate at the ETH Wohnforum/Center for Cultural Studies in Architecture. From 2002 to 2007 he was an assistant professor under Prof. Arthur Ruegg in the Architecture Department at the Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule (ETH, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) in Zurich. Journalistic activities on the architectural and cultural history of the twentieth century. Michelle Corrodi was an assistant professor under Prof. Herbert Kramel from 2000 to 2001. Since 2002 she has been a research associate at the ETH Wohnforum/Center for Cultural Studies in Architecture in the Architecture Department at the Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule (ETH, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) in Zurich. Since 2005 she has been a copywriter for the architectural firm of Baumschlager & Eberle. Her primary focuses are architectural and cultural history and housing construction. Gerhard Auer has been a practicing architect and urban designer since 1967. Since 1980 he has been a professor of design at the Technische Universitat Braunschweig (Braunschweig Technical University). He is active as a researcher and expert consultant in Germany and abroad. He is the author of numerous publications on architectural theory and co-editor of the journal Daidalos. Since the 1980s he has focused on light-related subjects. He produces works of light art in public spaces and curates light art exhibitions.