flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Giant interactive pinwheel adds fun to museum exterior

Giant interactive pinwheel adds fun to museum exterior

Designer George Zisiadis hopes to transform the way people see public space


By BD+C Staff | February 14, 2014
The pinwheel is driven by hidden microphones and connected motors.
The pinwheel is driven by hidden microphones and connected motors.

Interaction with the outside of a building isn't something that happens often, unless the passerby takes a picture or points out the design to someone else. George Zisiadis wants to change that with his new design for the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History

His proposed design intends to place a 10-foot pinwheel on the side of the building that is connected to tubes in the plaza below. If a person blows in the tube, the pinwheel will start spinning. Zisiadis says that he wants the exterior to have some of the interactive elements that are featured inside the museum. 

"They want people to engage with their art in a very hands-on way, which I find very empowering and inspiring," Zisiadis told Fast Company. "I wanted to extend this idea to the physical structure of the building itself.”

He wants to keep the mechanism driving the pinwheel mysterious in order to make the experience more fun for visitors, but it's pretty simple. When someone blows into the tube, hidden microphones pick up the sound and connected motors then make the pinwheel spin.

Zisiadis hopes that his design will encourage people to interact with the whole building and transform the way they perceive public space.

 

Related Stories

Architects | Aug 4, 2015

Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture closer to independent incorporation

The school is halfway to its first fundraising milestone, but is facing a major deadline at end of this month.

Industrial Facilities | Aug 3, 2015

Architect Jacques Rougerie envisions floating city to function as roving laboratory

The manta ray-shaped vessel will be completely self-sustaining, run on marine energy, and produce no waste. 

Cultural Facilities | Aug 3, 2015

Funding needed for Washington's Desert Storm memorial

 The National Desert Storm Memorial Foundation has a $25 million goal for the project.

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jul 31, 2015

Zaha Hadid responds to Tokyo Olympic Stadium controversy

“Our warning was not heeded that selecting contractors too early in a heated construction market and without sufficient competition would lead to an overly high estimate of the cost of construction,” said Zaha Hadid in a statement.

Architects | Jul 30, 2015

The Lego Architect: Book offers simple how-to steps for recreating iconic buildings with Legos

The book features famous buildings accompanied with a photograph and drawing of the Lego model of the building, and a list of all the Lego pieces needed to complete a model of the building.  

Transit Facilities | Jul 30, 2015

Snøhetta designs ring-shaped cable car station in Italian Alps

In Snøhetta’s design, two cylindrical rings embedded into the existing topography, each at different elevations, will be connected by a cable car. During the minute-long cable car journey, passengers can enjoy views of the city and of the Italian Alps.

Office Buildings | Jul 29, 2015

Design plans for Fannie Mae’s new HQ revealed

The developer/owner, Carr Properties, envisions a 1-million-sf plus mixed-use center with a large retail pavilion.

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jul 29, 2015

Milwaukee Bucks arena deal approved by Wisconsin state assembly

Created by Milwaukee firm Eppstein Uhen Architects and global firm Populous, the venue will be built in downtown Milwaukee. Its design draws inspiration from both Lake Michigan, which borders Milwaukee, and from aspects of basketball, like high-arcing free throws.

Contractors | Jul 29, 2015

Consensus Construction Forecast: Double-digit growth expected for commercial sector in 2015, 2016

Despite the adverse weather conditions that curtailed design and construction activity in the first quarter of the year, the overall construction market has performed extremely well to date, according to AIA's latest Consensus Construction Forecast.

University Buildings | Jul 28, 2015

OMA designs terraced sports center for UK's Brighton College

Designs for what will be the biggest construction project in the school’s 170-year history feature a rectangular building at the edge of the school’s playing field. A running track is planned for the building’s roof, while sports facilities will be kept underneath.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021