nimma hotel's reception desk is an LED panel displaying real-time news in a modular typeface

multidisciplinary design firm superposition studio was commissioned to help create an identity for the new nimma hotel near the waal river in the netherlands. during the process of designing an identity, superposition developed ‘leaded lights’ — a modular typeface defined by a custom grid using LED lights. the firm developed a dynamic light installation that brings the tradition of stained glass into the digital age, as well as the hotel’s reception desk.

the entire installation measures one by five meters

superposition studio‘s ‘leaded lights’ feeds light through the physical typographic grid, shaping the flow together to form glyphs. the messages sprawled across the desk come from various real-time data sources; from weather and sport updates to poetic interventions based on the time of day and the weather conditions around the hotel. additionally, a dedicated computer running a custom java-based framework drives the LED-matrix. the modular grid is physically crafted using precise laser cutting and is sandwiched between the LED layer and a pane of frosted glass.

the design and construction of the desk was done in collaboration with jeroen roode interiors

the modular grid is sandwiched between the LED layer and a pane of frosted glass

‘leaded lights’ brings the tradition of stained glass into the digital age

the reception desk features an array of colors

a close-up of the modular grid

details of the LED panel

project info:

client: hotel nimma
desk design in collaboration with: jeroen roode
interiors desk construction: jeroen roode interiors
poetry: jaap robben
video production: studio collector

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynn chaya | designboom