Window On The Mac
/ User Experience
Lighting plays an important role in the performance of modern buildings, which change our surroundings with information and technology. Window on the Mac refers to media architecture as a form of experience design. With the announcement of the Scottish Funding Council for a major redevelopment of 4 campi of GSA, I used video projection to create a new concept for an interactive and informative media to be projected on the Mackintosh building.
Startpoint
The Mackintosh building is one of the most visited touristic points in Glasgow, and home of the School of Art that integrates studies in the field of Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, Jewellry and others. In 2005, the SFC announced a redevelopment in the 3 buildings facing the Mac, on Renfrew St. The new building is intended to host the touristic shop, as well as to receive people interested not only in the Mac's Art Nouveau architecture but also in the artistic work being done every year by more than 500 students.
Development
The main idea was to highlight the features of the Mackintosh using the great amount of intellectual property of the School of Art and expose the artistic and commercial work of hundreds of aspiring artists to a large public. Projection of lights came from the principle of creating a large scale visual experience without touching any of the façade.
After researching on interactive buildings since the 50's, I ran my first tests with a simple projector on white cardboard boxes. The intention was to test the level of illumination and to map certain areas that could simulate a real architecture. Several techniques and software were used in this phase, when tests of colour and animations proved to bring great reactions.
Photos
Victor Stelmasuk
Result
Many people are attracted to façades that communicate, as long as the combination innovation / time remains constant. The new media created on the Mackintosh building opened a new channel for students to explore a direct connection with visitors and become noticed as much as the architecture. The presentations would run as performances for tourists always at a certain time of the day, and in special events such as the Degree Show.
Four projectors would be placed on top of the touristic center across Renfrew St. and be controlled by a touchscreen table. Through a possible network connection, the videos could contain works made by students, historical facts about the building and even a real-time broadcast of a presentation.
The final project showed a simulation of what could be achieved, and was presented to the board of directors of the Glasgow School of Arts in June of 2009.