Client: Scottsdale Quarter

Overview

Lenses is an illuminated architectural facade wrapping around the parking garage of the Scottsdale Quarter, a unique shopping, dining and entertainment experience in Arizona. The artwork is a subtle image operating on a monumental scale created by a pattern of CNC-cut polycarbonate panels offset from each other and bolted to a steel sub-frame that extends from the concrete parking structure. The circle pattern is an abstraction based on the concept of optical lenses, which transmit and reflect light pulling images into focus or blurring them into fields of color.

Goals

During the day, the art will manifest the sense of a lens through gradients of color reflecting motion and change captured in two dimensions resulting in a colorful visual landscape. The piece is composed of UV-stabilized color polycarbonate panels, custom designed to construct the unique circle pattern. At night, the facade will come alive with an array of computer-driven LED wall washers, which act as a lens transforming information into a dynamic panorama of color. The light sequences will be inspired by images submitted by visitors to Scottsdale Quarter thereby making the facade a ‘lens’ on the greater community of Scottsdale and its visual culture. The art will function as a contemporary landmark within Scottsdale Quarter aiding in pedestrian and motorist wayfinding during both the day and at night. The colored panels will shade and diffuse any direct sunlight entering the garage during the day. The glowing facade will add ambient light for increased visibility at night.

Additional Information

Medium: stainless steel, Koda XT, LED lighting, electronics / Dimensions: 200’ length x 5’ width x 30’ height