Introduction to
Illuminate Springfield
Festival of Light 2021
the project
Students were invited to design and create a site specific illuminated inflatable installation for the city of Springfield's Holiday Festival of Lights. The structure had to exemplify one or more architectural design principles in response to the site.
kick-off
On September 20 students visited Frank Lloyd Wright's Westcott House in Springfield Ohio. They enjoyed a tour with Marta Wojcik, Executive Director and curator of the Westcott House. Students photographed the house and gardens looking for examples of the use of design elements and principles. Following their visit to the Westcott House, students visited two potential locations for proposed installations in downtown Springfield and conducted site analysis of the spaces. Scott James, of The Now Device and curator of auroraMAX introduced students to the spaces and facilitated site analysis.
design process
PACE
Program -what is the intent? what are design constraints/opportunities?
Analysis - what is the current situation? site features? existing / potential impacts?
Concept - creative response- idea development- prototype - multiple iterations
Execution - build- test- refine
Site analysis - Students created site maps working in small groups based on the site they were interested in designing. The plan view drawings detailed site measurements, directional orientation, physical features, entry and exit points, circulation and view sheds.
Concept- Students created sketchbook drawings, clay sketches and plan view concept sketches.
In October, Scott led an all day workshop wherein students critiqued the concepts, broke into groups and began prototyping the ideas they felt met the program goals the best.
Proto-types - Students created small scale plastic models.
Execution- Students and festival committee members agreed the "Mother Cloud" concept best fit the goals of the program. Mother Cloud was designed by Mads with the idea of contrasting the soft organic form with the symmetry and geometry of the modernist architecture of the Springfield City Hall building and plaza. Mother Cloud is illuminated with colored lights that fade into each other and is accompanied by two baby clouds whose colors respond to sound.
Baby Cloud prototype
Mother Cloud making. Assisting artist Brooke Bryan was instrumental in helping us figure out how to create a gusset for Mother Cloud and lent her specialized sewing skills and machines to help make Mother Cloud a reality.
exhibition
Mother Cloud was debuted on December 9 at the Dayton Regional STEM School Exhibition Night to the delight of students, families and visitors. Architecture + Design students hosted the exhibit in the gym and shared projections of the Springfield City Hall for context as well as examples of their prototypes and process.
On December 18 Mother Cloud was installed as a centerpiece in the plaza of the Springfield City Hall at Illuminate Springfield 2021.
partners
Scott James / The Now Device
The Now Device - produces and and supports unique events nationwide specializing in making events unforgettable. They use visual media to transform stages, galleries, and landmarks into immersive environments. The live performances and compositions deliver messages, add atmosphere and intensify experience. Scott is a founding member of The Now Device and curator of auroraMAX.
The Westcott House
A Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Prairie Style house in Springfield, Ohio, the Westcott House house was built in 1908 for Mr. Burton J. Westcott, his wife Orpha, and their family. It is the only Prairie style house designed by Wright in the state of Ohio. In addition to offering guided tours of the house and garden, the organization promotes historic preservation and inspires creativity and innovation through architecture and design education. https://www.westcotthouse.org