The pattern for the metal mesh net is tailored to fit the exact shape of the Hotel Forest in Barcelona, including terraces and outcroppings. The net has the appearance of being draped loosely, and extends farther out from the building as it nears street level, creating a canopy over pedestrians walking around the building's base.
The pattern for the metal mesh net is tailored to fit the exact shape of the Hotel Forest in Barcelona, including terraces and outcroppings. The net has the appearance of being draped loosely, and extends farther out from the building as it nears street level, creating a canopy over pedestrians walking around the building's base.
Individual leaf modules that contain PV cells to power LED sources are suspended on the net and glow at night. These modules can be programmed to emit different colors of light to create patterns on the surface. The result is a dynamic façade that engages the urban fabric surrounding it.
The net has an interesting visual effect on the building itself, creating filtered views from within and also superimposing a pattern of shadow across the building's surface during daylight hours.
Balconies and outdoor areas are enveloped by the net as well, making the whole hotel exterior a unique layered environment.
INDIVIDUAL LEAF UNIT Each leaf module is a convex disk with a plastic base and a clear glass face. The unit connects to the net with a simple clamp that is tightened to hold the module in place. The clear glass front allows sunlight to enter so the PV cell inside can generate power to fuel the leaf at night.
INTERNAL SYSTEMS Each leaf is self-sufficient, with internal systems that include the PV cell and RGB LEDs that can be mixed to create different color combinations. A CPU can be programmed remotely to achieve desired color changes, and a light sensor determines when ambient light levels are low enough for the system to activate.
