sophie valla architects: LED clouds in amsterdam

‘LED clouds in amsterdam’ by sophie valla architectsproject in contextimage © marcus koppen

the construction of the north-south subway presented amsterdam north with the opportunity to turn the center of district into a park. sinking the nieuwe leeuwarderweg highway by seven meters allowed to merge three existing green spaces to create a central recreational zone for the residents of the area. located in a site where two gas stations from the eighties were going to be demolished, buildings mirror each other on both sides of the entrance – uniquely suited for public gathering.

the light installations by sophie valla architects under the flat roofing are the outstanding feature of the remodeled structures. sixty textile panels made from the fabrics used in advertising were cut to various sizes to meet the dimensions of the existing structure; forming an LED-like screen that can be programed independently. the textiles were combined with colorful spotlights in a giant puzzle, creating a 10m x 40m artificial sky. dynamic light animations lasting 30 minutes mimic shifting cloudy dutch skies, where twenty fluctuating skies re-create scenarios of bright and stormy days from sunrise to sunset. like a sophisticated carpet sitting on a lawn, concrete slabs laid out in an attractive pattern outline a conspicuously stylish urban spot in the grassy field of the park.

animation ‘good weather’image © marcus koppen

highway viewimage © marcus koppen

public spaceimage © marcus koppen

animation storm 1image © marcus koppen

animation storm 2image © marcus koppen

light sunsetimage © marcus koppen

project information:

credits: pavilions and led cloud client: amsterdam north city concept and design: sophie valla architects team: sophie valla and ivo jelinek construction: van eden bouwconstructies bv light supplies: inventdesign  contractor: interieurbouw coen winkel

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