jenny sabin's robotically-woven 'lumen' installation opens at MoMA PS1

jenny sabin studio has installed an immersive, interactive structure within the courtyard of new york’s MoMA PS1. the temporary pavilion is made from more than 1,000,000 yards of digitally knitted fiber, and incorporates 100 robotically-woven recycled spool stools. as the installation will remain on view throughout the summer, an integrated misting system has been designed that responds to visitors’ proximity to help keep them cool.

all images courtesy MoMA PS1 / photos by pablo enriquez

titled ‘lumen’, jenny sabin’s design was chosen earlier this year as the winner of MoMA PS1’s 2017 young architects program — an annual initiative that tasks creatives with designing a temporary, outdoor installation that provides shade, seating, and water. the summer structure also serves as the setting for the institution’s annual warm up summer music series, incorporating a custom lighting program to complement the events.

the interactive structure is set within the courtyard of new york’s MoMA PS1

two large-scale cellular canopies, complete with 250 hanging tubular structures, create opportunities for visitors to interact with the work. meanwhile, the pavilion incorporates responsive textiles that display subtle color in sunlight and glow softly after sundown, allowing the design to evolve over the course of a day. responding to the density of bodies, heat, and sunlight, ‘lumen’ applies insights and theories from biology, materials science, mathematics, and engineering — themes familiar to sabin’s work.

the pavilion is made from more than 1,000,000 yards of digitally knitted and robotically-woven fiber

‘jenny sabin’s ‘lumen’ is a socially and environmentally responsive structure that spans practices and disciplines in its exploratory approach to new materials,’ says klaus biesenbach, MoMA PS1 director and MoMA chief curator at large. ‘held in tension within the walls of MoMA PS1’s courtyard, ‘lumen’ turns visitors into participants who interact through its responsiveness to temperature, sunlight, and movement.’

100 robotically-woven recycled spool stools are incorporated as part of the scheme

‘with innovative construction and design processes borne from a critical merging of technology and nature to precise attention to detail at every scale, lumen will no doubt engage visitors from day to night in a series of graduated environments and experiences,’ adds sean anderson, associate curator in MoMA’s department of architecture and design. ‘lumen’ opens to the public on june 29, 2017, and will remain on display throughout the summer until september 4.

250 hanging tubular structures create opportunities for visitors to interact with the work

the pavilion comprises two large-scale cellular canopies

the design features responsive textiles that display subtle color in sunlight and glow softly after sundown

the structure visually evolves over the course of a day

custom lighting has been designed as part of the project

the structure also serves as the setting for the PS1’s annual music series

‘lumen’ opens to the public on june 29, 2017, and remains on display until september 4

project info:

principal and lead architectural designer: jenny e. sabin
R&D + digital fabrication: sabin design lab, cornell university
project lead and manager: dillon pranger
team: jordan berta (content coordination), diego garcia blanco, elie boutros, daniel villegas cruz, omar dairi, alejandro garcia, andres gutierrez, jingyang liu leo (senior research associate), mark lien, jasmine liu, andrew moorman, christopher morse, bennett norman, marwan omar, sasson rafailov, steve ren, david rosenwasser, danny salamoun (production lead), aishwarya sreenivas, raksarat vorasucha
engineering design: clayton binkley & kristen strobel, arup
fabricators and installers: tom carruthers, bo jacobsson, erik grinde, mateo baca, jacobsson carruthers, LLC
knit fabrication: tom shintaku, shima seiki wholegarment
lighting design: juan pablo lira and hilary manners, focus lighting
sewing and finishing: wade wesson & christine garcia, dazian
misting systems: sabin design lab & mist cooling inc.