LUZ by Marina.M from spain

LUZ AND LEXUS DESIGN AWARD, SENSES A VESSEL FOR EMOTIONS
A very high percentage of the population in Northern and Eastern Europe suffer from endocrine and psychological disorders due to the lack of daylight in winter and the excessive exposure in summer. Therefore, after experiencing this habitat and its social implications for two years; my proposal is to produce professionally an architectonic luminaire which imitates an ideal natural environment, and therefore, help those affected by this disorder stimulating their senses.

OPEN SOURCE ACTION - REACTION
Luz is a one meter diameter light ring. It connects two LED stripes RGB SMD 5050 to a TCS3472 5V sensor and an Arduino UNO open source micro-controller. This electronic system is programmed to modify gradually the light-color sensibility of the lamp depending on the weather conditions.
If It is cloudy (Lux 400 - 13000) (Tª colour 9500 - 11500) the luminaire stimulates brain reactions.
If it is snowing (Lux 400 - 5000) (Tª colour 2000 - 4200) Luz sends out enthusiastic and optimistic light.
And If it is at night (lux 0 - 400) , It communicates imagination and relaxation feelings.
When turned off, elegantly, the product will blend into the wall. LUZ minimises visual pollution.
To know more about technical and conceptual details, I kindly invite you to visit the webpage www.marinamellado.com/luz/

POWERFUL AND VALUABLE DESIGN
One of my intentions is to express the value of the senses through design, That is why the circle, as the simplest form that a human brain understands or as the symbol of movement without beginning or end, is the ultimate form of LUZ, the ideal vessel for emotions.
The prototype is already 3D printed, However, to make this project feasible in manufacture, the ring is divided into 6 pieces of 60º each. Manufactured in high pressure extrusion aluminum, it is designed to let hot air flow avoiding high temperature and to go unnoticed extending only 14 mm high from the wall. It is required the manufacture of a small aluminium wall piece. Both pieces have already been tested in moulding prototyping in order to avoid future problems. Finally, they would be white lacquered. To see more technical drawings and details please visit
http://www.marinamellado.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/P-Marina-Mellado-Mendieta-TFG.2013-14.pdf
A new internet platform will be created uploading the final IDE arduino code so that `LUZ` people worldwide may share their emotional opinions about light and chromaticism. Once they get the product, they will be involved in creating and sharing LUZ.