London studio
Orproject installed an undulating tree-like structure in the doorway of the
Italian Cutural Institute in Belgrave Square for last month’s
London Festival of Architecture.
Called OR², the structure is a shading device and comprises a series of polygonal segments with integrated photovoltaic cells that are connected by bolts to form a single surface structure.
The photosenstive segments react to light and become translucent when in the shade and coloured when hit by sunlight.
At night, energy stored by the photovoltaic cells during the day powers LEDs scattered on the surface to transform the structure into a giant chandelier.
The aim of the project is to explore the applicability of photo-reactive technology at an architectural scale.
See our earlier story of Orproject in Milan.
Here’s some more information about the project:
OR2 LIGHTS UP BELGRAVE SQUARE
OR2 at the Italian Cultural Institute, Belgrave Square, London, 24-06-2010 – 04-07-2010.
We are pleased to present OR², a new installation by Orproject, a London based practice of the architects and designers Francesco Brenta, Christoph Klemmt and Laura Micalizzi. OR² is the further development of OR, a single surface roof structure which reacts to sunlight.
The polygonal segments of the surface react to ultra-violet light, mapping the position and intensity of solar rays. When in the shade, the segments of OR² are translucent white. However when hit by sunlight they become coloured, flooding the space below with different hues of light.During the day OR² becomes a shading device passively controlling the space below it.
At night OR² transforms into an enormous chandelier, disseminating light which has been collected by integrated photovoltaic cells during the day into the surrounding areas. Special software components have been developed in order to create the shapes and to generate the cutting schedules. The individual elements were then automatically numbered and water jet cut.
OR structures are the first ones to employ photo-reactive technology at an architectural scale, exploring its applicability to the fields of construction and design. The beauty of OR² is its constant interaction with the elements, at each moment of the day OR’s appearance is unique.
The installation has been specifically designed and erected for the Italian Cultural Institute as part of the London Festival of Architecture.
from dezeen
