Suspended in the void of the double height entrance to U+NION, ‘Volume 0.1’ is a bespoke installation consisting of 2m tall glass pendants encasing digital light art pieces. Conceptually inspired by Manchester’s rich musical heritage, the piece was drawn from the idea of visualising sound. Ornamentally, the pendants respond to the interior design through elevated material choices and use of reflections, whilst also acting as a tool to transform the space through bespoke colour palettes and dynamic animations.
With a vision to bring people together through co-living, the emphasis on elevated, communal amenity spaces took centre stage for U+NION, in order to set them apart from other developments in Manchester’s rapidly growing city centre. ‘Volume 0.1’ has become an iconic feature of the brand’s identity and for residents is the immersive tool that transforms their space. Circadian rhythm is often spoken about concerning transitions between colour temperatures and dimming to replicate the sun’s path, however, Artin believe that a similar outcome can be achieved through scene setting, colour-change and animation. For example, by transporting the user to a destination that we associate with a time of day, such as an office or bar lounge, we can alter the user’s mindset and consequently the way that the space is used by them. From co-working to socialising, ‘Volume 0.1’ sets the tone for a productive weekday through soft, ethereal movements and white light, before transitioning into a dynamic set of vibrant animations throughout the evenings and weekends, saturating the double-height void in colour. Each animation was developed from the original concept of visualising sound: vibrating guitar strings, iconic album covers, the feeling of experiencing live music… Bespoke content was one of the key factors in place-making and required several layers of development, programming and fine-tuning to achieve the desired outcomes that both complimented Manchester and the brand, whilst also correlating with the scale and format of the installation.
Overall, this light art feature is part of the wider sensory experience creating an emotional connection to both space and city giving residents a sense of place and community.
During design development, the biggest challenge was designing each pendant to feel lightweight, as though they were floating in the double-height void, whilst also housing the extensive amount of cabling required for RGBW pixel LED control. Materiality was key in this part of the design process, as elements that couldn’t be reduced in scale were given a mirrored finish to create the illusion of more space surrounding them. Working closely with the interior design team, a selection of raw and reflective finishes were chosen. The intent for these pieces was to look beautiful both with and without the lighting on hence, by selecting reflective materials, the pieces can always be ‘light art’ by becoming instruments to reflect the natural light too.
