Designed by Paolo Venturella & MenoMenoPiu Architects, their ‘Solar Loop’ finalist entry for the Land Art Generator Initiative competition aims to expose more surface as possible to the southern solar rays. Sited in FreshKills Park in New York City, the shape comes directly from the solar diagrams, and deals easily with the sun following it with the best angle almost like a frozen artificial sunflower.bThe aesthetic of the sculpture is the result of this dialogue that becomes synthesis between the solar power and the park. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Potentially, it could be thought as a no-dimension element that could be multiplied in different sizes on the park’s needs, to yield energy and living spaces. Thinking in small it could be a shelter, thinking in big could be an arena to organize medium/big events inside such as concerts, sport events, speeches; ready to be the new reference point for the park’s visitors.
The “Solar Loop” is composed by two different surfaces that twist one into the other. The first one is the photovoltaic surface always exposed to the sun with the more performative angle, the second is the mirrored surface that reflects all the surrounding to multiply the spectacularity of the landscape as a single either multiple landmark.
The Freshkills’ East area is the most sunny part of the park all the year long, and the easiest accessed park visually connected with the Manhattan Skyline. “A solar catalyst, a crowd and cultural catalyst, it will be the park’s nest”.
Architects: Paolo Venturella & MenoMenoPiu Architects Location: FreshKills Park, New York City, New York, United States Design Team: Paolo Venturella, Gilberto Bonelli, Alessandro Balducci, Rocco Valantines, Mario Emanuele Salini, Pietro Bodria Energy Technology: Thin Film Photovoltaic Annual Capacity: 10,000 megawatt-hours
