Interactive art and design studio WHITEvoid introduced their FLARE-facade prototype at the NEXT art & technology exhibition. The system acts like living skin moving and adjusting, animating the surface of the building. The modular metal flakes are controlled by pneumatic pistons which tilt the flakes creating a variety of animation options. By reflecting ambient or direct sunlight, the individual flakes of the FLARE system act like pixels formed by natural light. The system has yet to be applied as a physical installation. We see real opportunities here, but will wait to make judgment until the system has been officially carried out.
is a modular system to create a dynamic hull for facades or any building or wall surface. Acting like a living skin, it allows a building to express, communicate and interact with its environment. Say goodbye to driving with sun in the eyes caused by shiny buildings!The FLARE system consists of a number of tiltable metal flake bodies supplemented by individually computer controllable pneumatic cylinders. Each metal flake reflects either bright sky or sunlight when in vertical standby position. When a flake is tilted downwards, its face is shaded from the sky light and appears as a ‘dark pixel’. By reflecting ambient or direct sunlight, the individual flakes act like pixels formed by natural light. This idea seems like a natural combination for solar powered technology that could follow sun light around for a power source.
