ABSTRACT
Architecture takes its form by the means of light and shadow. One can argue that contemporary architecture lacks the power that can be derived from the intentional manipulation of shadows. Shadows occur where an object blocks the direct rays of the sun or another light source from striking another surface. Predicting the shape of a shadow is conceptually simple. Geometrically predicting the resulting shape is almost as straightforward when working with simple solids casting shadows onto horizontal surfaces, but complexity increases quickly when the forms and the receiving surfaces are more intricate. To construct shadow geometry, only the solar coordinates at a particular date and time are necessary. Profile, elevation, and incidence angles are essential in shading device design, shadow-casting, and projection drawing. As the volumes casting shadows become more complex, and the surfaces onto which shadows fall more contoured, visualizing the shape of shadows is much more difficult.
