Unusual Lighting Concepts - Stig Skjelvik Designs & Snøhetta Architects

Added : 25 Jan 2011 | Visits : 18092 | Average votes : %

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When Norway based industrial designer Stig Skjelvik designs & Snøhetta architects collaborated with Prototype AS and Rasmus Hildonen. Usual Lighting concepts got a new definition- this interaction of art and technology is captured in Sandnes city centre railway subway Norway.

Basic formula for the calculation of length of a shadow:

Length of Shadow = Tan(θ)*a.

Where a = object's height, and θ = angle between the point of light and the object.

But what would you say in this illustrated case where light has no role to play in casting shadow. Yes it’s possible and has been achieved in the featured installation “The Strømer”. It is based on Stig’s Dobpler prototype, a modular interactive LED system that is activated by movement. When arranged next to each other, the project creates a uniform series of modules that illuminates and is based upon a visual input system. The installation of this lighting system in Sandnes city centre Norway has reincarnated the railway subway character, and has been providing safer walkways.

Old memories of reluctantly using a pedestrian subway are transformed into people walking, jumping, dancing or bicycling. Each person may play or perform to create their own special pictures and effects. Streams and flows allow children to be playful, and grown-ups to be children again! Pass through the pedestrian subway; notice the trace you leave behind. Stop for a minute, watch and play. Rediscover your own shadow, - do like the kids, play shadow theater, become an illuminated star for an evening. Two people approaching from opposite directions will experience their light shadows melting together, disappearing into a sc-fi inspired intimacy for a few seconds before re-aproaching. And one fine day subways are no more an escape or a safety hazard but also a place with a new improved urban character in the same urban setting. As people move through the tunnel the wall lights up and leaves luminous trails behind them. Needless to say, this is a great way to turn a very, well, pedestrian space into a brand new experience.

Strømmer is a unique installation, 27sqm of interactive LEDs provide light for each person passing by, and the total energy consumption is smaller than 3 regular 60 w light bulbs. With an impressive lifespan this is the light source for the future. With its analogue qualities the light is soft and friendly, triggered by passing humans, or doing its own organic life-like and mysterious behavior. It creates interest among the users, paving a path to a whole new lighting concept which is an unusual interaction of art and technology. Application of this kind of unusual lighting system will not only induce a new character in the space but also makes the space more interactive.

Text Compilation: Sidharth Gupta

Photograph: courtesy the designer.