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Light Balls Creating Interactive Urban Experiences with Semi-Translucent Fabric

Author:
Arianaq Ribas garcia
Light Balls Creating Interactive Urban Experiences with Semi-Translucent Fabric

Project in-detail

Composed of light balls made from semi-translucent fabric and supported by flexible polycarbonate structures, the installation creates individual cabins for dancers while enhancing the urban experience through sound and interactive lighting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating light balls create an interactive installation in urban spaces.
02
Each cabin offers an isolated sound experience for individual dancers.
03
Semi-translucent fabric allows light to diffuse and engage passersby.
04
The installation adapts to various locations with flexible assembly options.
05
Air pumps inflate the structure, transforming its shape for user engagement.

A series of light balls simulate a galaxy of planets and asteroids in an urban setting in Berlin. Each spherical structure serves as a cabin for a single dancer while adding an artistic touch to the environment. The design concept focuses on adaptability and user experience, merging performance art with architectural elements.

Installation and Access

The design allows for quick and efficient setup in various locations. Users enter the cabins using a folding ladder, making access simple. Inside, an air pump activates to inflate fabric petals, transforming the space into an engaging environment. This interaction between people and structure highlights the project's immersive nature.

Acoustic and Visual Experience

Key to the design is the integration of sound and lighting elements, which are placed at the top of each cabin. These features provide an individualized audio experience, ensuring that sounds do not disturb nearby residents. By combining visual and acoustic considerations, the design respects the urban context and allows participants to enjoy diverse music while remaining considerate of the surrounding area.

Structural Components

Each cabin consists of several essential elements that contribute to its function and appearance. A wooden platform, shaped from two semicircles, forms the base of the cabin. Six flexible polycarbonate bars connect this base to upper and lower fixation pieces, creating a sturdy structure. The air pump, discreetly located beneath the platform, is responsible for inflating the outer fabric petals, which are made of semi-translucent material featuring sealed air pockets. This combination enhances both the structural and visual characteristics of the installation.

The illuminated effect from the cabins creates a pattern of light across the urban landscape. The semi-translucent fabric allows light to diffuse outward, engaging passersby. This interplay of light and rhythm invites people to observe the visual spectacle of the cabins, showcasing a lively interaction between art, performance, and public space.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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