inflatable pavilion by pneuhaus mimics dragonfly’s vision through 221 camera obscuras

compound camera no. 3 creates a tactile viewing environment where hundreds of live images appear at once across a translucent surface; a construction of glass lenses, urethane-coated nylon, and air that allows visitors to adjust individual projections by hand.

Kip Reinsmith edited by christina vergopoulou October 14, 2026 4 min

Compound Camera No. 3 inflatable pavilion mimics dragonfly vision

Pneuhaus creates Compound Camera No. 3, an inflatable pavilion composed of 221 camera obscura cells that project multiple views of the surrounding environment onto its translucent inner surface. Inspired by the compound eyes of dragonflies, the installation explores how different perspectives can coexist within a single structure.

Each cell contains a glass double-convex lens, with its proportions and focal length determined by optical calculations. The pavilion combines concave and convex surfaces to direct views outward and inward, referencing the arrangement of a dragonfly’s ommatidia, which are oriented to observe different parts of its surroundings.

inflatable pavilion by pneuhaus mimics dragonfly’s vision through 221 camera obscuras - 1 — Compound Camera no.3 utilizes 221 lenses to create a large camera obscura | all images by Lachlan Turczan unless stated otherwise

Touchable Camera Obscuras Allow Visitors to Change Lens Focus

Made from urethane-coated nylon, glass lenses, and air, the structure requires no rigid frame. A baffle layer separates and aligns its inner and outer membranes, while the soft surface allows visitors to press individual cells and adjust the focus of the projected images by hand. The result is an immersive viewing environment in which hundreds of images form without screens or digital sensors.

Covering more than 700 sqft, the pavilion can be installed in a few hours and withstands winds of up to 40 mph. Its curved entrance leads into a larger atrium, creating a sequence of spaces that expands and contracts as visitors move through the installation.

‘Today, most imagery reaches people through flat, backlit screens,’ shares Pneuhaus’ design team, ‘Compound Camera no.3 offers a quieter, more physical counterpoint: vision one can walk into, touch, and adjust by hand; a reminder that seeing can still be soft and playful rather than solely high-tech and mediated.’ The project builds on Pneuhaus’ earlier Compound Camera, created nearly a decade ago with 109 cells projecting views from a single point. The third iteration moves beyond the original dome to explore a more distributed, insect-like form of vision.

inflatable pavilion by pneuhaus mimics dragonfly’s vision through 221 camera obscuras - 2 — complex concave and convex curves combine to create a gently sloping structure

inflatable pavilion by pneuhaus mimics dragonfly’s vision through 221 camera obscuras - 3 — drone view of Compound Camera no.3 at Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis | drone image by Stefan Stefanizyn

pneuhaus-compound-camera-no-3-inflatable-pavilion-designboom-1800-3 — a curved entrance leads visitors into a larger central atrium

inflatable pavilion by pneuhaus mimics dragonfly’s vision through 221 camera obscuras - 4 — a close-up of Compound Camera no.3 cells reveals small lenses embedded into the inflatable outer membrane

inflatable pavilion by pneuhaus mimics dragonfly’s vision through 221 camera obscuras - 5 — urethane-coated nylon, glass lenses, and air form the pavilion’s curved structure

pneuhaus-compound-camera-no-3-inflatable-pavilion-designboom-1800-2 — each cell projects a view of the surrounding environment onto the translucent inner surface

inflatable pavilion by pneuhaus mimics dragonfly’s vision through 221 camera obscuras - 6 — looking out through the compound camera obscuras replicates an insect eye’s view

inflatable pavilion by pneuhaus mimics dragonfly’s vision through 221 camera obscuras - 7 — 221 individual cells of pinhole cameras combine to create a complex view of the surroundings

inflatable pavilion by pneuhaus mimics dragonfly’s vision through 221 camera obscuras - 8 — full cityscapes come into focus with 360-degree views from the embedded optical lenses

project info:

name: Compound Camera No.3

designer: Pneuhaus | @pneuhaus

event: MODE Fest | @modebyflickr

location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, US

dates: September 18th – 20th, 2026

photographer: Lachlan Turczan | @lachlanturczan

drone photographer: Stefan Stefanizyn

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