The project is a conversion of oil silo to light art piece and public space. It sits by the sea facing central Helsinki. Prevailing winds well known to residents are strongly present. The natural light, wind and movement of light on the water formed the principles for the lighting concept. Walls are perforated with 2012 holes referring to the World Design Capital year.Project is mainly viewed from distance when the area starts to build. 1280 LED domes in 2700K white are fitted inside the silo behind the cut-outs. LD developed bespoke software using swarm intelligence and nature simulating algorithms that refresh responding to parameters such as wind speed, direction, temperature, clear night and snow. System dials out every 5 minutes for new data. The patterns are fluid, natural in feel and never repeat. They are slow but speed up in relation to the wind speeds creating constantly changing mural of light.Exterior LED floodlights with 2700K white & Red LED are used to express the form of the silo during sunset. After sunset the floodlighting dims down leaving the naturally moving pattern. When viewed from central Helsinki 3km away the pattern appears to be floating in mid air. At midnight the exterior turns deep red for 1 hour. The colour refers to the former use of the silo as a container of energy. At 02:30 lights go off. The interior gains importance as the area gets populated. Inside is painted deep red. Daylight seeps through the pattern derived from original rust patterns on the walls. North facing wall has no perforations. 450 steel mirrors moved by winds are fitted behind the holes. With sunlight the silo appears to glimmer and sparkle like surface of water. The warm white LED grid reflects light indirectly via the red walls into the space. The moving patterns read as halos racing across the walls.The Silo is a civic space for the citizens of Helsinki. Floor was added and rigging infrastructure, power, water and emergency & cleaning lighting. Light intervention has created a new space for people.
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