design for a sustainable future
Category: communities
The Message is - LED there be light
As the population in urban areas increases, parks and beaches become ever more important as recreational spaces. Many cities expand their green spaces. Public spaces have to be safe, day and night. Are there energy efficient ways of providing light during night time?
out-sider a/s, a Copenhagen based provider of public seating and furniture, and the design agency Goodmorning Technology have been working on a public bench called Message which integrates innovative LED lighting, sensor technology and solar power.
The goal of the project was to create a new public bench which combines good seating comfort with attractive aesthetics, low maintenance, longevity and the integration of light.
The project team set off to explore innovative technologies in lighting and to research user behaviour around public seating. After considering a number of concepts also taking maintenance, material and safety into account, the team came up with Message.
Message is powered by a Li-Ion battery and the power is generated by nearby solar panels. The light is provided by LEDs which are much lower in energy consumption than other lighting technologies. LEDs are very robust and have a life expectancy of up to 25 years. The lighting is integrated into the internal part of the frame, which gives protection and indirect lighting.
Message has sensor technology integrated: during the day the light is switched off. At dusk the light will start to glow at 30% of its capacity, but when people come within two meters of the bench, the light will flare up to 100%. When they leave the bench, the light will fade down to 30%. It can replace other light sources such as street light.
The bench is designed in an organic and comfortable shape which integrates well into a natural environment. The surface is made of perforated metal and designed in a way that plants such as ivy and grass can grow on it, allowing it to become part of the landscape.
Stories from people sitting on benches are written in Morse on the frames of the benches. Readers can pass on the message.
Could all our public spaces be powered by the sun at night? out-sider a/s and GoodmorningTechnology have shown that it is possible.
Message will go into production later this year. If you are interested in the product, contact
out-sider a/s www.out-sider.dk or Goodmorning Technology www.gmtn.dk
Text provided by Goodmorning Technology