Entry NO. 9
23 April, 2013
Author: Ben Bye
Kunsthaus Graz
CRAB Studio | Cook Robotham Architectural Bureau
Last evening, Peter Cook of Archigram and CRAB Studio gave lectured at the University of Oregon. In his lecture, he highlighted his project for the Kunsthaus Graz. Built in 2003, the Kunsthaus Graz is a public art gallery for the city of Graz, Austria. The project is unique in its focus on both natural daylighting systems and high-tech facade illuminations.
Photo: 23musings.com
As an art gallery, the building is most interested in capturing natural north light. The roof above the second floor gallery space is punctured by a series of north facing light monitors. The monitors create both the desired lighting conditions as well as adding interesting punctuation to the facade. As sources of daylight during the day, the monitors are transformed into luminares by night with sculptural fixtures filling the void of the monitor.
Photo: escdotdot
Photo: UMJ / N. Lackner
The gallery is also unique for it use of active facade illumination. Behind the glass cladding panels sit hundreds of computer controlled lights. Together in synchronization, the lights can form patterns, words, and images. Rather than utilizing high tech LEDs, the entire effect is achieved using standard purchase bathroom lights. The bathroom lights were utilized in part due to budget constraints but more importantly because of their high resistance to water infiltration and damage.
Photo: UMJ / N. Lackner
All Information from http://www.crab-studio.com/graz-kunsthaus/
and Peter Cook’s Lecture on April 22, 2013 at the University of Oregon, Creative Cynicism: The Cheerful Response
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