eye opener
The Orb Mountain View, USA The Orb is a new pavilion designed by Marc Fornes of The Very Many, which serves as an architectural centerpiece at Google’s Charleston East Campus in Mountain View, California. Standing 10-metres-tall, this ultra-thin, self-supported aluminium shell structure features intricate folds and tiny perforations that create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The lighting design for The Orb aims to enhance its organic and twisting shapes, emphasising its visual and structural complexity. Utilising both natural and artificial lighting, the design integrates seamlessly with the pavilion’s perforated surfaces to produce a captivating effect of light and shadow. During the day, sunlight filters through the perforations, casting intricate patterns on the ground and the inner surfaces. At night, strategically
Image: Younes Bounhair / Doublespace
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placed LED lights highlight the structure’s contours, transforming The Orb into a luminous landmark. To develop the electric lighting for The Orb, a detailed 3D model was studied with photometrically accurate lighting. Multiple options were presented to the design and construction teams to determine the best lighting approach within the context of the site. Particular attention was given to the position of the ingrade uplights to effectively illuminate the perforated structure, while minimising glare at entry points into and under the art piece. Once fixture positions were finalised, detailed aiming instructions were given to the installers to achieve the desired lighting results. www.lampartners.com