levitating pebble installation defies gravity at mies van der rohe's barcelona pavilion

floating stones appear weightless in THE barcelona pavilion

From October 25 to November 3, 2024, the In(Visible) Energy installation at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona reimagines the renowned architect’s minimalist vision through a multidisciplinary exploration of the fundamental forces of the universe. Created at the Bartlett School of Architecture’s B-Made workshop in London, this project brings together artists, musicians, scientists, architects, and engineers to examine energy patterns using electromagnets hidden within aluminum bases.

Centered around the iconic pebbles in the pond of the pavilion, the installation features experimental displays of levitating stone structures that challenge perceptions of mass, balance, and force. Through these arrangements, the intervention highlights the unique materials and architectural design, revealing the subtle engineering that allows stones to appear weightless and suspended in the air.

all images by Flavio Coddou

sound experience completes B-made workshop’s (in)visible energy 

Developed at the B-Made Workshop at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London, under the guidance of Professor Josep Miàs Gifré with Assistant Professors Luke Olsen and Graeme Williamson and a team of students, this collaborative project explores the role of consciousness and emotion in advancing sustainable energy. Examining the interconnectedness of gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces, the installation raises the intriguing question of whether a fifth force—perhaps consciousness—might unify them, bringing a new conceptual layer to the legacy of the pavilion.

In(Visible) Energy elevates the act of stacking stones, transforming it into a cross-cultural symbol that evokes childhood memories and a shared meditative practice. Through these delicate, balanced structures, the project reinterprets the principles of isostatics, demonstrating how force and equilibrium can create seemingly impossible formations. This experimental installation also includes a three-part sound experience that studies psychoacoustic effects and forms of energy through sound. One segment employs binaural frequencies to create a meditative atmosphere around the levitating stones, while another converts electromagnetic energy into sound, encouraging visitors to interact via an electromagnetic microphone. A third element generates low-frequency waves that ripple the inner pond, making sound not only audible but physically tangible, further enhancing the immersive experience.

this project brings together artists, musicians, scientists, architects, and engineers

bartlett students experiment on Mies van der Rohe’s approach

Nearly a century ago, the German-born American architect Mies van der Rohe coined the phrase ‘less is more,’ mirroring the simplicity of Albert Einstein’s iconic equation, E=mc², which revealed the immense energy potential within atomic structure and paved the way for technological advancements. Nuclear energy, characterized by its density, potency, and carbon-free output, exemplifies this principle of efficiency. In fact, a single lifetime’s energy consumption—equivalent to burning 200,000 kg of oil—can be contained in just a small piece of nuclear fuel, a stark contrast to the environmental burden of fossil fuels. Yet, despite its promise, nuclear power remains underutilized, with over 80% of global energy still sourced from fossil fuels, a major contributor to climate change and a challenge to sustainable development.

This stalled transition raises the question of whether a new type of connective energy is needed—an intentional, emotional force that merges design, technology, and human consciousness to inspire sustainable choices. In(Visible) Energy transforms the Pavilion into a platform for exploring how unified design might guide society toward regenerative and sustainable energy practices.

the team examines energy patterns using electromagnets hidden within aluminum bases

levitating stone structures challenge perceptions of mass, balance, and force

the intervention highlights the unique materials and architectural design of the pavilion

the subtle engineering allows stones to appear weightless and suspended in the air

exploring the role of consciousness and emotion in advancing sustainable energy

In(Visible) Energy elevates the act of stacking stones

a cross-cultural symbol that evokes childhood memories and a shared meditative practice

through these delicate, balanced structures, the project reinterprets the principles of isostatics

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this experimental installation also includes a three-part sound experience

nuclear power remains underutilized

examining the interconnectedness of gravity

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

name: In(visible) Energy
artist: B-Made Workshop | @b__made at the Bartlett School of Architecture | @bartlettarchucl under the guidance of Professor Josep Miàs Gifré, with Assistant Professors Luke Olsen and Graeme Williamson
dates: October 25 – November 3, 2024
location: Mies van der Rohe Pavilion | @fundaciomies, Barcelona, Spain

design team: Luke Olsen, Graeme Williamson, Prof. Josep Miàs, Melis van den Berg, Dr. Chris Leung, Hamish Vietch, Martha Stevens, Izzy Watson, Orlando George-Ibyote working under the umbrella of the MEng Engineering & Architecture Design Programme, UCL
visual artist: Leon Chew 
sound artist: Sandy Davis

photographer: Flavio Coddou | @tetraedrik