philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

 

 

characteristically consolidating the disciplines of architecture, art and science, philip beesley has installed a complex and luminous composition of responsive systems in form of ‘radiant soil’ as part of the ALIVE / EN VIE exhibit at espace EDF fondation in paris. while the showcase highlights the plethora of bioengineered and living systems in design, the trained architect has manifested a vertiable colony of interlinking clouds that respond to the movement and spatial memory of visitors. various polymers, metals and glass are suspended in variously shaped filter layers that ‘ contain a near-living carbon-capture metabolism.’ the high-hanging complex pods track motion and are powered by proximity– all while radiantly occupying the architectural space. understanding soil as a distinctly hybrid material that begets life and ties together whole ecosystems, the work recreates the architecture of living systems with an accretion of moving frond clusters fitted with shape-memory metals, microprocessors, reactive bulbs that set off bursts of light and scent-emitting glands to attract viewers, thereby providing a loop for the catalytic system. some pods operate with convective plumes of air, while others are helical arrangements of LED lights that make manifest ripples of response; the result is a poetic and illuminated confrontation with nature.

 

 


the architect describes the mechanics and poetry of the project
video © centre culturel canadien

 

 

philip beesley presents radiant soil at espace EDF in paris
philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

 

 

philip beesley presents radiant soil at espace EDF in paris
philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

 

 

philip beesley presents radiant soil at espace EDF in paris
philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

 

 

philip beesley presents radiant soil at espace EDF in paris
philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

 

 

philip beesley presents radiant soil at espace EDF in paris
philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

 

 

philip beesley presents radiant soil at espace EDF in paris
philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

 

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philip beesley presents radiant soil at espace EDF in paris
 
philip beesley presents radiant soil at espace EDF in paris
 
philip beesley presents radiant soil at espace EDF in paris
 
philip beesley presents radiant soil at espace EDF in paris