Phototrophic is an autonomous interactive installation, that is comprised of electroactive polymers (EAP), electolunminescence foils (EL), dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and bioplastics. The focus of this project was to make a self sufficient architectural composition from the above materials, that we customly produced following a simple set of instructions.
The departure point of our design was a basic origami pattern, which we applied on a double sided canopy-like structure that is standing on cast bioplastic columns. The DSSC cells, that cover the upper layer of the canopy “harvest” the needed solar energy in order to power the EL elements, that glow inwards, and the EAP elements that are creating a moving landscape on the ground level. The harvested energy, when not directly used is stored in a battery,which also reassures a constant power supply.
The movement and light intesity of the elements is controlled via proximity sensors. By clustering the elements and after the valuable guidance that we had from Andrei Prutenau and Agostino di Figlia from TU Delft, we finally aim to introduce a certain behavior to the installation depending on light and proximity factors. Unfortunately, because of technical problems that we faced while wiring the installation, the level of control is still basic, but we opt to nail it down after we retreat from the workshops in asia.
