Figge Art Museum, USA
Originally designed by David Chipperfield Architects in 1999, the Figge Art Museum was envisioned as a cultural landmark along the Mississippi River. While plans for illuminating the building’s glass facade were developed following its completion in 2005, technical limitations at the time meant the concept was never realized.
Two decades later, that vision has come to life.
In 2025, in collaboration with Leo Villareal Studio and RDG Planning and Design, the Figge Art Museum unveiled Evanescent Field, a permanent light sculpture marking the museum’s Centennial anniversary. Now the largest public art installation in the State of Iowa, the project transforms the museum’s exterior into an ever-changing field of light that engages the city, the riverfront, and the surrounding community.
Evanescent Field
Created by Leo Villareal Studio, Evanescent Field explores impermanence through continuously dissolving and reforming waves of light. Programmed using generative code, the composition never repeats, offering a distinct experience with every viewing. The evolving patterns draw inspiration from natural systems, particularly the movement and atmosphere of the Mississippi River.
The Perfect Canvas
The Figge Art Museum features a 2.5-foot insulation chamber sandwiched between the exterior glass facade and the interior structure. Designed to isolate exterior temperature and humidity from the galleries, this cavity also houses a network of catwalks aligned with each floor of the building, providing access for cleaning and maintenance.
This unique architectural feature became an ideal canvas for light. Integrated discreetly within the insulation chamber, more than 1,000 STR10® Color Changing luminaires were installed along the catwalks using brackets and custom attachments, totalling over 5,000 linear feet or 1.5 kilometres. Each luminaire was carefully aimed and tuned to work in harmony with the building’s geometry, enabling even wall washing and revealing the facade with depth and clarity.
Technology Behind the Vision
INFINITY® Technology enables continuous runs of up to 600+ meters or 2,000+ feet. This flexibility allowed the system to be fully optimised across the facade using only 26 INFINITY® power supplies in total while removing the needs for any power supplies within luminaires, which is a common failure point. The compact cabling design simplified installation and does not require facade penetrations, preserving the integrity of the glass exterior.
COLOR-STREAM® enables ultra-fast communication, supporting smooth facade transitions, flicker free dimming, and up to 32 DMX universes per output. This level of control provides the responsiveness and resolution required for generative artwork and complex programming. It also enables up to 100 metres or 328 feet of leader and jumper cables.
COLOR-AMP® dynamically maximizes lumen output in colour changing luminaires by intelligently allocating available power across colour channels. This results in up to 3X more lumens and improved efficiency at the same power level, supporting both creative intent and long-term performance.
A Realized Vision
The Figge Art Museum now stands as both a cultural institution and a permanent work of public art. By bringing together architecture, technology, and artistic expression, Evanescent Field realises an original vision that had been waiting for the right moment and the right tools.