Architecture

Seoul's Living Light installation informs on city's air quality

Seoul's Living Light installation informs on city's air quality
A user can send a text message to the structure, which then blinks to register receipt and replies with local air quality information
A user can send a text message to the structure, which then blinks to register receipt and replies with local air quality information
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Each panel in the Living Light canopy represents an area of the city
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Each panel in the Living Light canopy represents an area of the city
Youngsters reaching out for information about air quality in Seoul's Peace Park
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Youngsters reaching out for information about air quality in Seoul's Peace Park
The tree-like canopy is made up of 27 shaped blocks, representing areas where the Korean Ministry of Environment operates air monitoring stations
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The tree-like canopy is made up of 27 shaped blocks, representing areas where the Korean Ministry of Environment operates air monitoring stations
The installation interacts with users by responding to text messages sent to it - blinking panel lights and supplying citizens with data about air quality
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The installation interacts with users by responding to text messages sent to it - blinking panel lights and supplying citizens with data about air quality
Real-time air quality information is fed into the structure from data recorded by 27 air quality monitoring stations located throughout the city. Users can send a text message containing an area specific code and receive a reply detailing local air quality data
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Real-time air quality information is fed into the structure from data recorded by 27 air quality monitoring stations located throughout the city. Users can send a text message containing an area specific code and receive a reply detailing local air quality data
Eye-catching and functional - the Living Light structure in Seoul's Peace Park
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Eye-catching and functional - the Living Light structure in Seoul's Peace Park
Air quality information is recorded by 27 monitoring stations located throughout the city
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Air quality information is recorded by 27 monitoring stations located throughout the city
A user can send a text message to the structure, which then blinks to register receipt and replies with local air quality information
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A user can send a text message to the structure, which then blinks to register receipt and replies with local air quality information
Building and testing Living Light prototypes
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Building and testing Living Light prototypes
Building and testing Living Light prototypes
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Building and testing Living Light prototypes
Building and testing Living Light prototypes
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Building and testing Living Light prototypes
View gallery - 11 images

Situated in Peace Park, just across from the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, stands a functional art installation that lets citizens know about the quality of air in their city. The Living Light canopy consists of blocks representing each section of the city where an air monitoring station is situated. If an improvement in air quality is recorded, the corresponding block on the canopy grid lights up. Blocks are also illuminated when users send text message information requests to the structure.

The city of Seoul already displays real-time air quality information on digital signage and online, the Living Light outdoor pavilion is an extension of this system. The tree-like canopy is made up of 27 shaped blocks, representing areas where the Korean Ministry of Environment operates air monitoring stations. When an improvement in air quality in an area is recorded, the appropriate panel in the canopy is illuminated.

The installation interacts with users by responding to text messages sent to it - blinking panel lights and supplying citizens with data about air quality
The installation interacts with users by responding to text messages sent to it - blinking panel lights and supplying citizens with data about air quality

At regular intervals, the canopy map lights up the best to worst real-time air quality performers frame by frame. Members of the public can send a text message containing a specific location information code to the structure and receive air quality data by return. The corresponding panel then blinks in response to user interaction.

Youngsters reaching out for information about air quality in Seoul's Peace Park
Youngsters reaching out for information about air quality in Seoul's Peace Park

The Living Light structure was designed and built in association with Columbia University's Living Architecture Lab, and sponsored by the City Gallery project.

View gallery - 11 images
3 comments
3 comments
AlexBizzar
It looks great and has some interesting interactivity to it... but at the same time it sucks that something like this has to be made. China really needs to step up their control on air pollution. Yes, America is bad, but China is so much worse with air pollution. We\'ll probably need some sort of Ionic Breeze the size of a house to help clean up our air ;)
Brutal McKillins
Phase II is an installation that shows real-time crime activity...
Ed
Uh, yeah.. *THAT* happened...