The Bartlett
Summer Show 2026
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Dichroic Dwellings

Project details

Student Ryan Chen
Programme
Studio 3A
Year 3

Dichroic Dwellings explores the health effects of natural light within housing, challenging conventional daylighting within present-day apartments. Located in Holloway Park, the project acts as a counter-proposal to the current residential development by Peabody Homes, introducing both apartments and maisonettes to accommodate the household composition of Islington. Within the interior, a specially designed system of heliostats and sun tunnels distributes light from the rooftops to each apartment floor, offering its residents both a constant access to natural light and a reduced need for artificial lighting. Additionally, apartments and maisonnettes are interconnected, forming a series of distinct courtyards. These frame a series of light-filled atriums, where their angular walls, cutouts and iridescence form patterns of light throughout the day, incorporating illumination as an element of social interaction.

Just as light promotes wellbeing through a synchronized circadian rhythm, a view towards nature reduces anxiety. The apartments and maisonettes are interconnected, creating courtyards that allow a constant visual connection to the environment.

Interconnected

Just as light promotes wellbeing through a synchronized circadian rhythm, a view towards nature reduces anxiety. The apartments and maisonettes are interconnected, creating courtyards that allow a constant visual connection to the environment.

The render depicts the community centre during a rainy day. Light is emitted from a central skylight which cuts through the geometric roofscape. From outside, the diffuse light draws visitors into the building and guides their passage.

Community Centre

The render depicts the community centre during a rainy day. Light is emitted from a central skylight which cuts through the geometric roofscape. From outside, the diffuse light draws visitors into the building and guides their passage.

A detail of the physical model, highlighting the network of sun tunnels and skylights that are hidden beneath the layers of the building.

Sun tunnel detail

A detail of the physical model, highlighting the network of sun tunnels and skylights that are hidden beneath the layers of the building.

Patterns of light created by the angled walls of atrium variations and the refraction of light through resin printed skylights within stairwells.

Moments of light

Patterns of light created by the angled walls of atrium variations and the refraction of light through resin printed skylights within stairwells.

The final model depicts the contrast between the simple exterior facade and the complicated light-providing interior.

Interior vs Exterior

The final model depicts the contrast between the simple exterior facade and the complicated light-providing interior.

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The Bartlett
Summer Show 2026
25 June – 12 July
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