Liquid Light (2018)
Ambient Eco-Feedback Light Fixture 
Integrated into Deep Performance Dwelling, Solar Decathlon, Dehzou, China
Topological Media Lab, Concordia University

Liquid Light is a light fixture embedded into the kitchen cabinets of a residential building. Through manipulation of liquid textures, the light communicates overall trends in consumption of water over time. Cumulative flow patterns for the whole house are gathered in a local database and compared to the weekly usage recommended. The analysis is translated into droplets of water inside the lamp, ambiently giving residents a sense of adequate to excessive flow of water. As consumption rises the animation of drops becomes more frequent. 

The fixture is a translucent scaled model of the projection counter space below it. Reverberations of liquid within the acrylic fixture are bounded to the physical geometries of space and as a result, create a sense of ever-shifting fluidity. ​Performing dynamically with these caustics refractions allows residents to reflect on flow patterns while engaged with textures of light at play. Consequently, the conditioned lighting strategy animates to gradually influence consumption behaviour through raising spatial awareness of flow cycles ordinarily imperceptible.

Medium:
Water, custom electronics, flow sensors, acrylic, light

Credits:
Nima Navab: original concept & design
Thierry Dumont: physical computing
Tatev Yesayan: design and fabrication

Images: (click to enlarge)