Lumen: photo-luminescent canopy that reacts to light, heat and movement

Lumen, designed by Jenny Sabin Studio, is an immersive, interactive installation, consisting of responsive, tubular structures and a canopy of cellular components, made from recycled photo-luminescent yarn. By day, it offers some relief from heat, while it glows softly at night, giving it distinct appearances.

MoMA PS1, the museum of contemporary art in Long Island City, holds its Young Architects Program each year, which challenges designers to create temporary, outdoor installations that address environmental issues and forward-thinking design. The winner this year was Jenny Sabin Studio with the canopy.

The canopy consists of over a million yards of digitally knitted fibres made from recycled photo-luminescent textiles. During the day, these fibres absorb solar energy, emitting glowing hues of various colours.

The installation is stretched out over the courtyard of the museum with 250 tubular structures that remind of stalactites. Because they are made of fabric, they respond to their environment, moving in the wind or if someone passes them. 100 robotically woven recycled spool stools are scattered throughout the courtyard.

The project is mathematically generated through form-finding simulations informed by the sun, site, materials, programme, and the structural morphology of knitted cellular components.

The canopy will be on display during the summer of 2017.

Images: Jenny Sabin Studio