vierziglichter
A ceiling-mounted light sculpture composed of 40 custom cones and over 1600 laser-cut polypropylene parts. vierziglichter combined computational design, acoustic improvement and interactive lighting into a temporary spatial installation at msa|münster school of architecture.
| Year | 2012 |
| Type | Interactive Installation |
| Role | Artist, Developer |
| Tools | Rhino3D, Grasshopper, Processing, Arduino, Lasercutter |
| Team | Julian Vogt |
Project Description
“vierziglichter” is a ceiling-mounted light sculpture designed specifically for the 8bar café at the msa|münster school of architecture. Consisting of 40 distinct cone-shaped elements and over 1600 laser-cut polypropylene parts, the installation seamlessly merges computational design, improved acoustics, and interactive lighting into a dynamic spatial experience.
Each cone is individually illuminated by controllable LEDs, creating diverse lighting effects—from responding dynamically to sound, displaying images or animations, to simply filling the room with a uniform color. This interactive feature, powered by the custom-built interface “Lucifer,” enhanced both the visual and auditory comfort of the café, significantly increasing its popularity among students for social gatherings and campus events.
“vierziglichter” was exhibited as part of the annual “annual12” exhibition at the msa|münster school of architecture, highlighting innovative architectural design and technology.
Technical Description
The structure comprises precisely laser-cut polypropylene panels, each uniquely designed using computational methods. The overall form and panelling were developed using Rhino3D and Grasshopper, ensuring a dynamic and precise fit to the ceiling geometry of the café. The Galapagos Evolutionary Solver was utilized to optimize the panel design, minimizing bending stress in each part.
Additional scripting in RhinoScript automated the unrolling, tagging, nesting, and preparation of cutting plans for the polypropylene sheets, ensuring seamless transition from digital model to physical sculpture. As a result of this detailed computational workflow, the constructed installation closely matches the digital design with remarkable accuracy.