Light form the North

Our group selected the New York Public Library’s 53rd Street Branch as a case study to explore how vertical daylighting influences spatial experience in a civic setting. Located in Midtown Manhattan, the building’s north-facing glass façade caught our attention for its ability to introduce soft, even daylight while maintaining a strong connection to the street and surrounding urban context.

My focus was on the main seating and reading area near the front curtain wall. Through multiple visits at different times of day and under varying weather conditions, I observed how daylight shifted across the interior surfaces and affected the atmosphere of the space. Using tools such as false color imaging and luminance mapping, I studied how materials like wood, glass, and concrete responded to natural light and supported a quiet, focused environment.

Collaborating with my team added depth to the process. By sharing our observations, measurements, and visual documentation from different parts of the building, we were able to piece together a fuller understanding of how light interacted with the space as a whole. The differences in orientation, surface finishes, and use patterns between our individual focus areas helped us see the broader design strategy more clearly.

What stood out to me was how restrained and thoughtful the daylighting design felt. It did not rely on dramatic effects, but instead created a calm, welcoming atmosphere that supported the building’s function as a public library. The design showed how carefully balanced daylight can enhance comfort, usability, and the overall character of a space.