Starbrick
Olafur Eliasson
Starbrick
The Starbrick is an experiment with light modulation and space.
Der Starbrick ist ein
Experiment aus Lichtmodulation und Raum.
La Starbrick est une expérience portant sur la modulation de la lumière et de l espace.
Starbrick è un esperimento sulla modulazione della luce e lo spazio.
The Starbrick is an experiment with light modulation and space. In my studio, we initially focused on the spatial challenges involved in the shaping of a complex geometric brick. This led to the development of the star-shaped modules, based on a stackable principle, which produce three types of space: the solid structure of the module itself, the negative space at its core in the shape of a cubeoctahedron , and the polyhedric spheres that appear between the modules when stacked. During recent years, my studio has conducted a number of light experiments in collaboration with
Zumtobel. In one such experiment, we decided to test different qualities and hues of
LED light, placed within the individual modules, which eventually resulted in the current Starbrick.
The Starbrick s LEDs are organised to emit white light while also creating a luminous, yellow and kaleidoscopic core in the shape of the cubeoctahedron. The body of the module consists of two kinds of polycarbonate: a translucent type optimises the quality of the light from the LEDs; an opaque and durable type makes up the body of the module, its matte black surface counterbalancing the light volumes.
When you stack the Starbricks, the opaque surfaces are reduced, to the point where the white light generates the polyhedric spheres between the bricks. Since the
LEDs are dimmable, the module has various light settings, offering both functional and ambient light.
I have attempted to develop a module that,
while functioning as an object in itself,
can also be assembled to form multiple
