Light creature
Product design and creative technology
Description
I was invited by Estudio Guto Requena to redesign the facade of Hotel WZ Jardins, transforming it into an interactive installation. What began as a design challenge soon evolved into a research project exploring the concept of the "Hacked City." The goal was to investigate how cities, public spaces, and architecture could be positively transformed through poetic and functional systems that enable real-time, spontaneous, collaborative, and cost-effective interventions.
Originally built in the 1970s, the Hotel WZ Jardins in São Paulo, Brazil, was recently retrofitted. The new facade, envisioned by Guto Requena, serves as a 30-story urban art installation visible both day and night.
By day, the facade features a pixelated skin made of aluminum sheets in shades of blue, gray, and gold. This "urban camouflage" was designed using parametric software that analyzed ambient noise on-site. The resulting pattern reflects the unique soundscape of Sao Paulo’s iconic Avenida Rebouças.
At night, the facade transforms into a luminous spectacle, animated by interactive light patterns. This "luminous creature" inhabits the building, responding in real-time to various stimuli. Sensors installed on the structure capture sounds that influence the creature’s form and movement, while air quality sensors adjust its colors accordingly. A mobile application further enhances engagement, allowing anyone to interact with the creature through voice commands or finger taps, creating a dynamic dialogue between the city and its inhabitants.
Roles
- Oversaw and coordinated all phases of the project, acting as the key liaison between the Studio and the client, ensuring communication and alignment
- Conceptualized and implemented comprehensive interactive strategies tailored to the project's unique goals and audience needs
- Developed and executed the architectural design of the project, combining creativity and functionality to deliver a cohesive vision
- Directed the development of an interactive application, collaborating closely with invited developers to ensure technical excellence and user engagement
- Led user research initiatives to gather actionable insights, driving data-informed decision-making throughout the project
- Adapted and refined the project iteratively, responding to new challenges and realities post-implementation to optimize outcomes