philip beesley presents radiant soil at espace EDF in paris

philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

characteristically consolidating the disciplines of architecture, art and science, philip beesley has installed a complex and luminous composition of responsive systems in form of ‘radiant soil’ as part of the ALIVE / EN VIE exhibit at espace EDF fondation in paris. while the showcase highlights the plethora of bioengineered and living systems in design, the trained architect has manifested a vertiable colony of interlinking clouds that respond to the movement and spatial memory of visitors. various polymers, metals and glass are suspended in variously shaped filter layers that ‘ contain a near-living carbon-capture metabolism.’ the high-hanging complex pods track motion and are powered by proximity– all while radiantly occupying the architectural space. understanding soil as a distinctly hybrid material that begets life and ties together whole ecosystems, the work recreates the architecture of living systems with an accretion of moving frond clusters fitted with shape-memory metals, microprocessors, reactive bulbs that set off bursts of light and scent-emitting glands to attract viewers, thereby providing a loop for the catalytic system. some pods operate with convective plumes of air, while others are helical arrangements of LED lights that make manifest ripples of response; the result is a poetic and illuminated confrontation with nature.

philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

philip beesley presents radiant soil at EDF
image © PBAI

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