Light of Serenity

Light of Serenity The attempt to permeate buildings with light and ventilation brings an ambience that conveys health and spiritual benefits. The capacity of light to penetrate a space and produce an inward glow. Light provides security and evil treads in the dark. This project focuses on creating light sources, a sense of serenity, peace, and comfort, enhancing the spirituality of the people using light, and preserving the Hausa architectural style. Effectively using light to create comfort and provide security; owing to the challenges faced by the people. Considering comfort, cost and availability of electricity and insecurity in northern Nigeria, Wukuri, Taraba State where people are internally displaced, forcing many to shelter in schools and churches. With over 318,400 persons internally displaced and the necessity for human basic needs, hence the need for Internally Displaced Persons(IDP) shelter built with locally sourced materials as well as fluorite stone to illuminate the interior and exterior at every time of the day without employing electricity. The Concept:The idea behind these safe lighthouses, is to use daylight and rechargeable stones at a controlled level to bring relief to these internally displaced persons(IDP)s. While focusing on daylight, we also considered sustainability and comfort and to this end, we employ the use of fluorite stone. From research, we realise with the use of these stones known to glow, brings relief and peace to any space where it is placed, we can proffer daylight solution, security and relief from daily life stress. These shelters are locally constructed with a structural wall frame made of bamboo crossed and tired with Iines and then filled with clay paste constituting clay mud, cow dunk, grass and groundnut pod. This mixture gives the paste plasticity, compression and tensile strength and is finally finished with clay and cement paste forming the wall to lintel level and fluorite stone to form 5 inches of the lintel; this is done to create glowing shades of light on the interior and exterior. Blinds made of the treated woven mat will be used to control light intensity on the interior while providing sufficient light at night to the exterior.The socio-cultural belief of Northern Nigerians encourages the use of stones in shelters and here fluoride stone will be used not just to form part of the walls but on window frames. e window is a rotating window pivoted at the centre of the opening. One side of the window is coated or finished with photoluminescent glow powder/pigment. The façade of the building, external door and window casing is finished with fluorite stones and used as an ornament within the spaces hence bringing relief at every level to the occupants.During the day, the side of the window treated with the photoluminescent glow pigment is exposed to sunlight. As light falls on it and the fluorite stones, it gets charged and glows brilliantly during the night which lasts for several hours – about 10 hours. The fluorite stones and photoluminescence pigment glows in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. At night, the treated window side is turned inwardly to illuminate the internal space.The Germ: Fluorite, popularly known as fluorspar is a class of rock belonging to the halide mineral category and is predominantly found in large deposits in Taraba State. It is the mineral form of calcium fluoride CaF2. Fluorite stones emit different colours under UV light. It can shine at night after being exposed to strong daylight which can last for several hours. Green fluorite has a positive effect on the mucous membranes and sinuses and fights against allergies. Purple fluorite induces dreams, enables prayer access to the subconscious and integrates with the conscious. Yellow fluorite offers joy, lightness, and euphoria in life and stimulates memory and intellectual capacities. Blue fluorite enhances expression and creativity and reduces tiredness. White fluorite awakens the spirit.The glow, creates a spiritual atmosphere, comfort and a sense of peace throughout the crisis period as they face its direction to make their prayers during the night. The internal space and external environment using the effect of light, glowing at night will enhance the spiritual and psychic (mental) wholeness and development, source of inspiration and security for the dwellers.