pass through the 3D matrix of serge schoemaker + digiluce’s alley of light
photo © raoul kramer
all images courtesy of serge schoemaker architects and digiluce

 

 

 

during the 2014 amsterdam light festival, the dutch-based design offices of serge schoemaker architects and digiluce have created the ‘alley of light’, a 12-meter long passage surrounded by a 4-meter high three-dimensional matrix of 2000 handmade bulbs. the work is defined by its illumination. recalling the typical narrow alleys of red and grey bricks in the historic center of the city, the installation visualizes the theme of this third annual event in an unorthodox way.

 


video by 5gradenoost, courtesy of serge schoemaker architects

 

 

 

the architectural framework consists of 320 vertical strings with six lights each, hanging in a black steel cage construction. the 10-by-12-meter footprint is placed on an existing platform on jonas daniël meijerplein, between the jewish historical museum and the portuguese-israeli synagogue, which could be considered a stage for the design. as the project rises one meter above ground level, visitors have to climb several steps to enter the synthetic world.

pass through the 3D matrix of serge schoemaker + digiluce's alley of light
2000 bulbs were used
photo © raoul kramer

 

 

 

alongside the internal aesthetic, the installation is perceived externally as an eye-catching, three-dimensional animation. the atmosphere changes continuously due to its programmed variation of configurations and intensities that never repeat. the mechanisms within the strong geometric shape of the matrix can be seen from afar and invites people to enter its boundaries. 

pass through the 3D matrix of serge schoemaker + digiluce's alley of light
a visitor enjoying the bulbs
photo © raoul kramer

 

 

 

the algorithm that controls the individual bulbs and generates the wave-like motion through the grid is derived from the physics of underwater lighting effects. the movement develops a unique spatial experience: when all the pieces are lit, the passage appears enclosed and intimate; as soon as they dim, the space becomes fluid and the borders of the alley start to fade.

pass through the 3D matrix of serge schoemaker + digiluce's alley of light
each acrylic tube contains two LEDs
photo © raoul kramer

 

 

 

the individual components are designed as abstract vertical lines, each of which consists of two LEDs enclosed by an acrylic tube. the prisms are covered with white paper and sealed with heat shrink. next to the nearly 2000 lights, the installation consists of one-and-a-half kilometers of cabling. the site is enhanced by music from machinefabriek.

pass through the 3D matrix of serge schoemaker + digiluce's alley of light
the work has been envisioned for the amsterdam light show
photo © raoul kramer

pass through the 3D matrix of serge schoemaker + digiluce's alley of light
the support structure
photo © raoul kramer

pass through the 3D matrix of serge schoemaker + digiluce's alley of light
view from across the water
photo © raoul kramer

pass through the 3D matrix of serge schoemaker + digiluce's alley of light
aerial view
photo © raoul kramer

pass through the 3D matrix of serge schoemaker + digiluce's alley of light
Isometric drawing

 

 

project info:

 

client: amsterdam light festival
location: amsterdam, the netherlands
partners in charge: serge schoemaker (serge schoemaker architects, luuk van laake (digiluce)
design: serge schoemaker, beatrice nespega
engineering: luuk van laake
production team: alexander beeloo, goncalo moreira, roxana vakil mozafari
electronics production: marcel van den huevel, tom engelbert, ivo raijmakers, teun voets, hidde de wit
structural consulting: jaap aalberts
photography: raoul kramer
documentary video: 5gradenoost
music on site: machinefabriek/rutger zuydervelt
sponsored by: hellermanntyton, aukes theatertechniek, drahtwerk st.ingbert
thanks to: lara captan, marco eggens, kiki van der hart, mark van hooff, rian knop, chantal van der kroft, daniela oliviera, maurijn rouwet, siba sahabi, martina salvi, astrid sanders, oscar sanders, huge shoemaker, jeanne tan, lars van vianen, rene vlemmix, andy yu, stefanie zweifel

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.