playful interactive cone installation reflects viewers’ sand art back to them

the project transforms sand into an interactive medium that invites play, reflection, and collective gathering.

bearlet edited by claire brodka March 4, 2026 3 min

interactive sand reflecting cone designed for desert landscapes

The Interactive Sand Reflecting Cone by Michael Jantzen is a public installation concept conceived for landscapes defined by sand. The project responds directly to these environments, celebrating the spatial and cultural qualities of desert terrain. It proposes a simple idea: transform sand into an interactive medium that invites play, reflection, and collective gathering.

The structure is designed to sit within an existing landscape. A circular concrete ring forms a defined boundary, incorporating a landing and three steps that lead into a contained field of refined sand. At the center of this ring rises a tall cone clad in polished mirrored steel. The composition establishes a clear geometric contrast between the horizontal plane of sand and the vertical reflective surface.

the interactive sand reflecting cone 1 — photovoltaic cells are mounted on the top of the cone to illuminate the structure at night all images michael jantzen

michael jantzen shapes cone as short-term event recorder

A circular array of photovoltaic panels crowns the top of the cone. These panels generate electricity during the day, store it in integrated batteries, and power a series of lights embedded in the concrete base. At night, the system illuminates both the sand and the mirrored surface, extending the installation’s presence beyond daylight hours.

Visitors engage with the installation in two primary ways. They see themselves reflected in the mirrored cone, and they shape the sand through movement and play. As footprints and patterns accumulate across the surface, the cone captures and reflects these temporary traces. In this sense, the structure operates as a short term event recorder, visually documenting activity through reflection rather than digital means.

the interactive sand reflecting cone 2 — the proposal explores ways in which the interactivity with sand can become a fun experience

curved installation reflects distorted images back to viewers

The cone’s curved geometry subtly distorts the reflected images, introducing unpredictability into the experience. Users cannot fully anticipate how their marks in the sand will appear once mirrored. This distortion enhances the playful quality of the installation, turning a simple material and a single geometric gesture into a dynamic public space.

the interactive sand reflecting cone 3 — the interactive sand reflecting cone functions as a large public gathering place

the interactive sand reflecting cone 4 — the structure is installed in a landscape already covered with sand

the interactive sand reflecting cone 5 — visitors interact with the interactive sand reflecting cone by looking at themselves in the mirrored cone

the interactive sand reflecting cone 7 — the reflecting cone functions as a kind of simple event recorder, at least for a short period of time

project info:

name: the interactive sand reflecting cone
designer: Michael Jantzen | @michael.jantzen22

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.