Piezoscape in Staten Island, New York by Barker Freeman Design Office Architects pllc

Article source: Barker Freeman Design Office Architects pllc

This proposal for the Fresh Kills landscape in Staten Island, New York engages visitors and the environment into generating energy using piezoelectricity, which is the conversion of mechanical movement into electricity. Energy from wind, sound vibration, and human movement can collectively be harvested from the movement of natural piezoelectric materials embedded in walkable surfaces and bendable wind-capturing stalks and streamers.

Image Courtesy © Barker Freeman Design Office Architects pllc

• Architects: Barker Freeman Design Office Architects pllc
• Project: Piezoscape
• Location:  Staten Island, New York
• Software used: Maxwell, Grasshopper, and Rhino

Systems of piezoelectric components are combined to create a series of spaces, including walking trails, a \”playscape,\” and an amphitheater that support a range of activity for the Park as a destination for large-scale events as well as for more individual recreational activities.

Image Courtesy © Barker Freeman Design Office Architects pllc

The surface system is comprised of reclaimed wood plank decking arranged in a chevron pattern activates piezoelectric film through pressure from walking or biking. The wind system is a curving, tapering bamboo fiberglass stalk and attached \”kite\” that activates energy generation through bending. The vibration system is a rigid structural network of bamboo fiberglass struts with attached \”hairs\” of piezoelectric film that generate energy from vibration.

Image Courtesy © Barker Freeman Design Office Architects pllc

An indication system comprised of a network of LED lights is embedded in all three systems will illuminate on a chromatic scale to indicate areas of energy generation and levels of harvesting intensity.

Image Courtesy © Barker Freeman Design Office Architects pllc

Image Courtesy © Barker Freeman Design Office Architects pllc

Image Courtesy © Barker Freeman Design Office Architects pllc

Tags: New York, Staten Island

Categories: Grasshopper, Landscape, Maxwell, Rhino

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