faulders studio filters light with entrium cloud canopy in portland

faulders studio filters light with entrium cloud canopy in portland
photo by mark stein photography
all images courtesy of faulders studio

in order to activate and shade the main entrance to portland state university’s science, research, and teaching center, faulders studio has designed and realized ‘entrium light cloud’ for permanent installation. the canopy is organized as a field of curving aluminum fins, which filter daylight while maintaining a bright and open area below. the composition of contours blends a gridded arrangement with circular focal point geometries to create a pattern evocative of, ‘vectorial weather flows, topographical contours, wave oscillations, and amorphous cellular clusters,’ as described by california-based architect thom faulders. the sculpture seeks to engage the perception of students, faculty, and public visitors passing by, and also create a threshold space which links the outside world with the intellectual activity inside the building.

the canopy covers the main entrance to PSU’s science, research, and teaching center
photo by mark stein photography

‘entrium light cloud’ transforms visually based on weather conditions and viewing angle. overcast skies produce a subtle reflective glow, while sunlit days create crisp shadow patterns on the ground plane and adjacent walls. additionally, the sculpture seems to be a closed surface when seen from a distance, while revealing the sky when viewed from underneath.

the contours’ geometries result from a fusion of a regular grid and circular focal points
photo by faulders studio

to realize the project, portland-based LIT workshop carried out the fabrication process. aluminum fins were first laser cut then bent to achieve the desired arrangement. a gridded network of small tube members passes through each strip to connect the system to the larger structural frame and supporting steel cables.

the fins filter light to create a varied field of tonalities
(left) photo by faulders studio
(right) photo by mark stein photography

the circular focal points protrude to increase the plane’s 3-dimensional qualities
photo by mark stein photography

photo by mark stein photography

tube members pass through the curving fins to connect the system to its structural frame
photo by mark stein photography

photo by mark stein photography

steel cables attached to the host-building elevate the canopy structure
photo by mark stein photography

photo by mark stein photography

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project info:

location: portland, oregon, USA
completion date: january 2014
architecture: thom faulders / faulders studio
structural engineering: endrestudio
lighting design: pritchardpeck lighting
fabrication: LIT workshop
photography: mark stein photography, faulders studio