“Lights upon Stockholm”
“Winter blossom” - an Oasis of Light…
“Winter Blossom”: installations and public spaces set up in central Stockholm, Sweden. As the flower blossoms during summer, each installation (each “Oasis of light”) will start to spread over the city in Autumn and “blossom” through Winter to finally be disassembled in Spring.
The purpose of the “Winter Blossom” project is to create an oasis of light in a city where the lack of light during its long winters affects the physical and psychological well-being of its inhabitants.
The lack of daylight during the winter periods is fatiguing and as a consequence there is a high percentage of the depression SAD- Seasonal Affective Disorder-among the population.
As hibernation may lead to depression due to its imposed obscurity, the idea is to give the inhabitants of Stockholm the possibility to access light at any time during the long winter months in an effort to help and ease the long periods of cold and darkness.
Each “Oasis of Light” is located in the most important and busiest areas of Stockholm, surrounded by cafés, shops, restaurants, bars and hotels.
The “Oasis” is a social meeting point to bring the people of Stockholm together as we tend to isolate during the winter chill. The “Stockholmers” could either pass through for a shorter period of time to enjoy their daily dose of light (artificial natural daylight or colored light as in color therapy) or stay longer to also enjoy the different projections exhibited 24h/7 according to different themes each month.
Each “Oasis of Light” offers WIFI wireless internet and outlets for laptops as well as computer terminals that are available through online payment.
Study Models: idealization and development of form
Final Study Model
Stockholm:“The Venice of the North”, built on 14 islands and connected by 57 bridges. Greenery, fresh air and proximity to water are the distinctive traits of this city. It was important to design a form in harmony with the city, its surroundings and the Swedish spirit who is close to nature.
Depending on the angle, it appears differently...
...one could imagine a shell....................................a wave...
...a sail...
...the sail of one of many boats that dock in Stockholm city and
the archipelago...
An "Oasis of Light" in Slussen
Humlegården
Humlegården
Kungsträdgården
The «Oasis» will give out artificial natural daylight (LEDs) of 10,000 lux. To obtain beneficial effects a minimum of 5,000 Lux is required with specific waves. The white light will be a sign, understood even from afar, that the «Oasis» is «free».
*Without a doubt the most effective clinically proven remedy for winter depression or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) in medical terms, is "light therapy". Light therapy does not only help relieve depression, moodiness and fatigue, but also contributes to the proper functioning of the immune system. Light therapy is also used for treatment of sleeping disorders as it helps to regulate and reset our internal biological clock by affecting the production of melatonin, serotonin and dopamine.
Upon arrival, the visitor will immediately see the computer touch screens that will show the aim of «Oasis" and the importance of light/ color therapy.
It will ask for example; «How was your day today?» or «How are you feeling today?» If the person has had a stressful day and needs to calm down before bedtime he or she might choose a calming blue! The habitants of Stockholm select the atmosphere they wish and the color indicates that there are people there!
Each Oasis may also house an art exhibition ,with different themes projected onto the large-scale interior surface. The exhibitions run from September to April ; each month has a new theme and each week treats a different area or subject within that theme. (*see ”Theme calendar” bottom of page)
Sept. Classical dances world wide
•South America (ex. Brazil-Samba)
•Europe (ex. Spain-Tango)
•Asia (ex. Japan- Kyomai)
•North America (ex. Country)
Exception: Exhibitions will be temporarily interrupted for major events.
Nov. Nature world wide
•Desert
•Tropics
•Rain forest
•Savannah
*Unlikely as it sounds, research has shown that winter depressives who watch films featuring warm, sunny, summery climates show considerable improvements in mood.
March. Sports-evolution and history
•Martial arts (ex Tai-chi-chua)n
•Football (European and American)
•Rugby
•Golf
Front and back view
Apart from the interior lights , there are also exterior lights to reinforce the illuminating effect from a distance. This way people the closest «Oasis» is visible from afar.
The stairs that serve as benches consist of three steps. Along each step there are electrical sockets for laptops, as the «Oasis» is a hot spot for WIFI.
The computer touch screens not only inform about light- and color therapy, but are also connected to internet ; the computer can be used payable online.
(The high latitude of Stockholm and Sweden, means that much of the country has very long hours of daylight in summer and very long nights in winter. North of the Arctic Circle at 66°N, this amounts to 24 hours of sun and 24 hours of Arctic twilight in midsummer and midwinter respectively.)
STRUCTURE ANALYSIS
Geometry
Primary Structure.
Left: Secondary Structure. Right: Primary and Secondary Structure.
Left: Support of exterior layer-the fabric. Right: "Ribbons"-exterior layer, fabric.
Structure Details:
