Memory Cloud by RE:site + Metalab Completed

It's been almost one year since the collaboration of artists RE:Site and architects METALAB won the competition to design Texas A&M University's new Memorial Student Center 12th Man Hall (previously on Bustler). The resulting lighting installation, Memory Cloud, has now been completed, and we have first photos and a video of the project.

MCL Video 030713 from Andrew Vrana on Vimeo.

Project Description from the Designers:

Memory Cloud is the winning commission awarded to RE:Site and METALAB by Texas A&M University for the new Memorial Student Center 12th Man Hall. Through a competition and short-list interview process the team demonstrated the ability to harness the potential of programmable LEDs, remote sensing, parametric design and digital fabrication to create an open ended narrative of the story of the University through animated silhouette imagery of past and real-time present student life on the campus.

Texas A&M, a place of deep traditions that are played out on the football field at every game and in the everyday lives of students will create the imagery that will be played within the layers of the LED matrix at different speeds and durations.

Parametric design created a unique cloud form that creates a landscape within the student center where monumental and ephemeral figures will pass through the space, blurring the distinction between past and present.

Post-processing of extracted components automated the shop drawing process and streamlined the workflow for an expedited installation phase.

Here are a few more photos of the Memory Cloud construction process.

Project Details:

Artists: RE:site (Norman Lee and Shane Allbritton)
Architecture and Fabrication consultation: METALAB (Andrew Vrana, Joe Meppelink, and Thomas Behrman)
Fabricators: Campo Sheet Metal Works and Crow Corporation
Lighting Design: Digital Media Designs
Location: Texas A&M University
Completion Date: February 2013
Materials: 11ga Carbon steel, 16ga Aluminum, Acrylic tubes and disks
Processes: Rhino/Grasshopper, Waterjet and Laser sheet meal cutting and assembly
On-site assembly time: 10 days

All photos courtesy of RE:Site and METALAB.