Sunsight to Sunclipse
Basic information
Project Title
Sunsight to Sunclipse
Full project title
Sunsight to Sunclipse, a solar power kinetik installation
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
„Sunsight to Sunclipse“ is a kinetic installation from 2021. The screen, made to
rotate by solar energy, creates spatial undulations through the Coriolis effect, which are subject to the same principles as the Rossby Waves, planetary meanders that influence our global weather. The installation thus creates an communal architectural space that is directly related to the energy of the sun, while at the the same time creating a local microclimate.
rotate by solar energy, creates spatial undulations through the Coriolis effect, which are subject to the same principles as the Rossby Waves, planetary meanders that influence our global weather. The installation thus creates an communal architectural space that is directly related to the energy of the sun, while at the the same time creating a local microclimate.
Geographical Scope
Cross-border/international
Project Region
CROSS-BORDER/INTERNATIONAL: Italy, Germany
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
The name ‘sunsight to sunclipse’ refers to the earth rotating around the sun, which means the sun does not rise, but rather becomes visible (sunsight) and darkens again to our sight in the evening (sunclipse). The atmosphere can ultimately be understood as a gigantic architectural shell, in which we live together with all other species. These terms were coined by Buckminster Fuller, who compares the earth to a spaceship in his book ‘Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth’.
The original concept of architecture is to shield us from the brute forces of nature by being static and resilient. The architectural shell is the interface between us and the exterior and thus had a strong influence on our relationship with the natural world. Sunsight to Sunclipse uses natural laws to develop a new architecture that’s soft and in direct contact with the environment and its ever-changing conditions. Could architecture potentially be like an atmosphere? By using the energy of the sun, the installation behaves in synergy with planetary constellations and is a direct transformation of energy into architectural space. Known as the Coriolis Effect, waves similar to the Rossby Waves – giant serpentine streams of high altitude winds, largely responsible for the global weather, create a space that represents a new type of architecture which understands itself as part of a larger planetary system that is fluid, dynamic, and responsive. We can´t experience these Rossby Waves but they control much of the global climate, therefore the project is fundamentally about giving access to a phenomena that greatly affect our lives individually and collectively, but are otherwise unknown to us. As a communal space the pavilion allows people to gather inside for a rich collective experience.
The original concept of architecture is to shield us from the brute forces of nature by being static and resilient. The architectural shell is the interface between us and the exterior and thus had a strong influence on our relationship with the natural world. Sunsight to Sunclipse uses natural laws to develop a new architecture that’s soft and in direct contact with the environment and its ever-changing conditions. Could architecture potentially be like an atmosphere? By using the energy of the sun, the installation behaves in synergy with planetary constellations and is a direct transformation of energy into architectural space. Known as the Coriolis Effect, waves similar to the Rossby Waves – giant serpentine streams of high altitude winds, largely responsible for the global weather, create a space that represents a new type of architecture which understands itself as part of a larger planetary system that is fluid, dynamic, and responsive. We can´t experience these Rossby Waves but they control much of the global climate, therefore the project is fundamentally about giving access to a phenomena that greatly affect our lives individually and collectively, but are otherwise unknown to us. As a communal space the pavilion allows people to gather inside for a rich collective experience.
Key objectives for sustainability
The project aims to use energy as a building material. By using solar energy, which is only available during the day, the facility behaves accordingly. During the sun hours it opens up to a larger common space and at night it shrinks to the size of a single bedroom. In this way, the installation allows for different programs depending on the availability of resources. This concept challenges the static behavior of traditional architecture by adapting to natural phenomena.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The super-light, soft shell, which only becomes an architectural volume through movement, consists of no structure. The white fabric moves silently through the space, creating ever new shapes. Visitors experience a sense of magic when they are under the umbrella, the gentle breeze cools the atmosphere and one is finally transported into a new kind of space that seems to be in synergy with its surroundings.
Key objectives for inclusion
The project is mainly about the inclusion of natural laws into architecture. Static architecture is mainly about fighting the laws of nature and physics by being designed to stand the brute force of nature. Sunsight to Sunclipse is soft and reacts to its external parameters and is thereby responsive and inclusive.
Results in relation to category
The installation served as the basis for many symposiums and lectures, at conferences and international Universities. The installation was re-installed at the Staatliche Kunstsammlung Dresden to be experienced by the public for the duration of three month in 2022.
How Citizens benefit
As a concept, the project aims to open the discussion on the role of architecture in relation to the availability of resources. Can architectural space
be a direct result of local natural phenomena? Ultimately, can architecture be like an atmosphere powered by the sun that creates local weather? The installation is a prototype that experiments with the idea of how much architecture is really necessary for which program, can we get away from the idea of our western lifestyle?
be a direct result of local natural phenomena? Ultimately, can architecture be like an atmosphere powered by the sun that creates local weather? The installation is a prototype that experiments with the idea of how much architecture is really necessary for which program, can we get away from the idea of our western lifestyle?
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
The project combines physics with architecture and a new way. Solar energy has traditionally being used to provide building services such as electricity and hot water. Sunsight to Sunclipse uses solar energy to create an architectural space while at the same time becoming an inhabitable air-condition.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
The project is as much physics as it is architecture. It was a fruitful conversation between me and the scientists which I consulted on the topic. Their way of looking at the structure as a testing object in combination with my interest in the quality of space was a beautiful new way of developing an architectural project.
Methodology used
The goal was to try to create a space with the most minimal material possible, ultimately I used solar energy to open up a spinning umbrella.
How stakeholders are engaged
The project was developed during a residency program at the German Academy in Rome, Villa Massimo. For the development of the project I engaged with local workshops and fabricators. To calculate the actual piece and its structure I was in close collaboration with researchers from France and the US.
Global challenges
The project addresses two very pressing issues: Material scarcity and energy scarcity. Especially now, with the war in Ukraine, locally generated energy and materials help to become independent from the uncertain global distribution networks. On a personal level, the project aims to promote climate awareness in our society by incorporating climate into our daily routines. To combat climate change, it is important to move away from Western habits of consumption and comfort and adapt to the availability of resources and energy by living locally and eco-minimalist.
Learning transferred to other parties
The project could be applied as a large shading device in hot climates. The combination of shade and air ventilation could help communities to cool down public spaces by using the energy of the omnipresent sun.
Keywords
solar energy as building material
climate responsive architecture
architecture as atmosphere
climate as an organizational principle
kinetik architecture
