UK Pavilion Shanghai 2010

UK PAVILION SHANGHAI by Thomas Heatherwick.

HINT: Th seed cathedral.

"The centrepiece of the UK pavilion is a six storey high object formed from some 60,000 slender transparent rods, which extend from the structure and quiver in the breeze. During the day, each of the 7.5m long rods act like fibre-optic filaments, drawing on daylight to illuminate the interior, thereby creating a contemplative awe-inspiring space. At night, light sources at the interior end of each rod allow the whole structure to glow. The pavilion sits on a landscape looking like paper that once wrapped the building and that now lies unfolded on the site."*

*from www.ukshanghaiexpo.com

Delight Cloth

DELIGHT CLOTH by Tsuya textile Co. Ltd.

HINT: Light emiting textile!

"Delight Cloth is a light-emitting textile comprised of thousands of fiber optic strands. With a diameter of only 0.25 to 0.5 mm, the optical fibers are woven into a large translucent tapestry that can be hung vertically or horizontally. The material may be used for wall or ceiling treatments, as well as banner signage or clothing. Delight Cloth can be fabricated with imbedded graphics or logos, and may be used to emit a wide variety of colors of light."*

*from www.transmaterial.net

Morphotex

MORPHOTEX by Teijin Fibers Limited, Osaka, Japan.

HINT: World’s first optical coloring fiber.

"Inspired by the chromogenic principle of Morpho butterflies that inhabit areas along the Amazon in South Africa.

Teijin Fibers has recreated this effect via nanotechnology, combining a total of 61 polyester and nylon fibers in alternating layers. By controlling the thickness of each layer ranging from 70 to 100 nanometers, they can produce four basic colors (red, green, blue and violet). Although no dyes or pigments are used for Morphotex, the process reveals a rainbow of colors according to the intensity and angle of light due to this unique structure of the fiber. As there is no dyeing process involved in producing the fiber, Morphotex saves energy and minimizes industrial waste when compared with conventional methods."*

*from www.transmaterials.net