Media Architecture Institute

In die Fassade der 2008 neu eröffneten Konzernzentrale der Energie AG Oberösterreich wurden 665 weisse geschoßhohe LED-Stäbe eingelassen, von denen jeder einzelne direkt ansteuerbar ist. Die Anordnung der Leuchten orientiert sich an der Struktur der Fassade. Unterschiedliche abstrakte Lichtanimationen übertragen die unregelmäßige Struktur der Fassade in die Ebene der Zeit. Das Gebäude wandelt sich in der Dunkelheit zu einem überdimensionalen Display, zu einer bewegten, abstrakten Lichtskulptur.

Twelve shimmering metal shafts rise at surprising angles from a grassy hill. They hang over the landscape, creating a graceful curve that appears to unfold for passing motorists. The shafts are part of Solar Collector, a sculpture created by artists Matt Gorbet, Rob Gorbet, and Susan LK Gorbet as a commission for the Region of Waterloo. Set in front of the Regional Operations Centre in Cambridge, Ontario, the sculpture is solar-powered and interactive, inviting the community to choreograph its nightly performance via the web.

The most modern way of building illumination in the whole world and in Slovakia as well and the first and unique way of illumination in such a big scale.

SSL technology (solid state lighting “semiconductor lighting) which is applied to the whole area of glassed-in part of the building in combination with special narrow beam metalhallogenid spots creates new range of modern multimedia illumination.

Folded Space is a project by MSW that interacts with perception of Torre Pompéia building in São Paulo/Brasil. It uses video projection composed of geometrical shapes which, as they move and re-shape, transform the building onto which they are projected.

The video installation “folded space” uses the tension-filled constellation of massive parts of the building and bridge arrangements for a temporarily fresh interpretation.

The “Polygon Playground” is a large scale interactive lounge object. It offers room for up to 40 persons at a time to walk, sit and explore its multifaceted surfaces. Gradient ramps guide to the top plateau or offer space to sit and rest. The installation features a software aided 3D surface projection system to cover the object with a seamless 360 degree projection mapping. An additional sensory system detects peoples positions and proximity.

In 2001 an open tender was released by Coventry City council to produce a piece of work for The Phoenix Initiative. The brief asked to provide a creative solution for a 60 metre wide x 2 metre high wall on the outside of a major new shopping development in Coventry City Centre.

The Wall is split into seven large panels that span the 60m length. It is constructed from 160,000 marbles sandwiched between two sheets of steel which give the wall an tactile and intricate surface. Behind the sheets are 60 coloured neon tubes that switch on when it gets dark. The tubes are connected to motion sensors which are turned on for a short period of time when someone walks past.

Realities United created for the ILUMA building in Singapore RU a light and media facade, which had to be effective both during day and night. The project is part of a new development (Urban Entertainment Center) designed by WOHA architects1. In various ways this concept blurs boundaries as it actively merges the concept of a media screen with an ornamental architectural screen filtering air and light and as it blends abstract futuristic shapes with a 1970’s Vegas style.

The Raiffeisen office building in Vienna has been nicknamed “Die Welle” (The Wave) because of its S-shaped façade. With its coloured LED lines including cabling, control and programming, Ledon has given the building façade accent lighting that can be seen for miles. The vibrant yellow meets the corporate design guidelines perfectly and makes the building an instant calling card for the company.

Once Fussach was dominated by excavators, now it is much more picturesque with boats and yachts. A former gravel pit has been converted into a sparkling new harbour on Lake Constance. The Nordwesthaus building designed by Baumschlager Eberle rises 14 meters directly out of the water. Its unique architecture makes it an impressive addition to the area. Underneath the glass cube are decorative curved concrete walls that blend perfectly with the natural surroundings of reed and trees and are beautifully illuminated in LED light. In the evening the Nordwesthaus is a real eye-catcher. Dynamic colour sequences bring the unique building façade to life, creating a wide variety of displays within the basic architectural elements. When the building is bathed in greenish blue light it takes on the appearance of reeds that are being swayed in a gentle night-time breeze over the lake.

OPENINGS is an interactive storefront installation, built into the façade of the Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE) gallery in Hollywood. Located at a border condition between the urban context of Hollywood Blvd. and the art gallery environment of LACE, OPENINGS uses architectural strategies and interactive media to address these two seemingly disparate zones. This project was developed during David Erdman’s UCLA Department of Architecture and Urban Design Superficial Superglow v2 winter quarter 2008 technology seminar and will be included in the forthcoming publication Contemporary Plasticity.