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Monday, September 26, 2011

MIES - Prism Cloud


The Prism Cloud from Afar

This is another project from LOJO. It is called the Prism Cloud. The Prism Cloud is an energy-generating landscape pavilion near Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The only requirement of the program was to design a land art piece that would create a sense of place as well as an energy infrastructure. The project was therefore an attempt to create an experiential fullness within the empty context of the desert, by "rendering the invisible visible."


Light Refracting Through the Cloud

LOJO wanted to call attention to atmospheric elements that might otherwise go unnoticed, such as the specific qualities of light, wind, energy and sand. The Prism Cloud thus operates on light in four specific ways: by bending light, refracting light, framing light, and shading light. Wind is made visible and audible as the steel-cable net canopy ripples and moves. At the same time, the canopy harnesses solar energy through its array of photovoltaic cells—feeding electricity back to nearby desert communities.


A Unit Cell from Above

The pavilion is sited organically, growing out of of the community and reaching into the landscape.  It is designed so as to bring people together individually and contextually.  Given Abu Dhabi's new reaching heights, the Prism Cloud tries to reach new lengths, extending out and absorbing, bringing people in.


The Sited Context of the Prism Cloud, On the Waterfront


Site Section of the Prism Cloud


Exploded Detail Showing Construction Employed


Site Plan of the Prism Cloud

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