When the Sochi Winter Olympics kick off next month (Feb. 7-23) in Russia, the temporary pavilion for Russian telecom operator MegaFon is going to turn a lot of heads—literally.
The company commissioned London-based designer Asif Khan to create a one-of-a-kind installation for the Games. Khan answered with MegaFaces, a 39-foot-high, illuminated façade that acts much like a giant pin screen, replicating the faces of people in the crowd in the form of a 26-foot-high, 3D mural.
The kinetic façade will display three faces simultaneously, and each participant will receive a 20-second video clip of their experience via email.
Here's how it works, according to a report by Dezeen: People step into a 3D photo booth to have their face scanned from five different angles.
Using the data, a computer creates a 3D model of the facial structure (in about a minute) and sends the coordinates to an engine-and-cable system that controls a series of actuators that make up the kinetic portion of the façade. Each one of the 10,000 actuators can extend out to lengths of six feet, allowing for the creation of dramatic, 3D murals.
Don't believe us? See for yourself:
Related Stories
| Aug 1, 2014
Best in healthcare design: AIA selects eight projects for National Healthcare Design Awards
Projects showcase the best of healthcare building design and health design-oriented research.
| Aug 1, 2014
Recession recovery spotty among American cities: WalletHub report
Texas metros show great momentum, but a number of Arizona and California cities are still struggling to recover.
| Jul 30, 2014
Higher ed officials grapple with knotty problems, but construction moves ahead [2014 Giants 300 Report]
University stakeholders face complicated cap-ex stressors, from chronic to impending. Creative approaches to financing, design, and delivery are top-of-mind, according to BD+C's 2014 Giants 300 Report.
Sponsored | | Jul 30, 2014
How one small architecture firm improved cash flow using ArchiOffice
Foreman Seeley Fountain Architecture not only managed to survive the Great Recession, it has positioned itself to thrive in the economy’s recovery.
| Jul 30, 2014
German students design rooftop solar panels that double as housing
Students at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences designed a solar panel that can double as living space for the Solar Decathlon Europe.
| Jul 30, 2014
Restaurants, farmers' markets high on urban dwellers' wish list: Sasaki report
Urban dwellers love food-related resources, public spaces, and historic structures—but really hate traffic, lack of parking, and poor public transportation.
| Jul 30, 2014
Nonresidential building activity on the rise for 2015: AIA Forecast
Semiannual Consensus Construction Forecast predicts 4.9% increase this year, 8% next year, with offices and retail facilities leading the charge.
| Jul 29, 2014
Studio Gang Architects, MAD to design George Lucas' museum in Chicago
Star Wars director George Lucas selected Chicago-based Studio Gang Architects and Beijing firm MAD to design his proposed art museum on Chicago’s lakefront.
| Jul 29, 2014
AECOM's buying spree continues: Deal to acquire Hunt Construction Group in the works
The acquisition comes just two weeks after AECOM's $6 billion deal to acquire rival engineering and construction company URS Corp.
| Jul 29, 2014
MADGI hires David Stuart, AIA, as Studio Director in New York City
Stuart will support the firm's $375 million multifamily residential design studio.
