Illuminate and Elevate

Abstract

At two kilometres long, the Hofbogenpark will be the longest rooftop park in the Netherlands and is part of the municipality of Rotterdam’s seven urban greening projects. A new icon for the city that not only connects the various neighbourhoods, but also contributes to a solution for climate change.

Plant and animal diversity is under pressure worldwide. Conservation and restoration of biodiversity are therefore essential and cities play an important role in this. All of the different needs/wants of the stakeholders (human/non-human) need to be integrated together in the context of this urban park. Therefore, this project lends itself perfectly to a biophilic design approach.

When looking at biophilic architectural projects, like the Hofbogenpark, they are currently dominated by the use of natural forms/materials, lighting is often still very artificial. This situation presents an opportunity to create and research new lighting strategies and products that make (better) use of the biophilia principles to improve the relationship/interaction between users well-being and energy management in a restorative environment.

This thesis explores the design and development of a light installation for Hofbogenpark in Rotterdam. The main goal was to create a biophilic light(ing) environment within this context, taking into account the desired interaction/experience: reconnecting with each other and with (the surrounding) nature.

Before starting the design process, extensive research was done on the qualities of light, the psychology of light and the perception of light. This research provided a strong foundation for understanding how light influences us and can shape experiences. By exploring how light interacts with different materials and forms and how it affects spatial perception, the project was able to integrate these insights into the design choices. In addition, research on the biophilia theory and forming my own opinion about biophilic design has been an important aspect of the design.

After an analysis of the meaning and influence of public space over time, a qualitative study on values/needs and motivations for Hofbogenpark visitors was conducted. From this research, the most important key drivers were extracted to subsequently form a design vision:

I want to support urbanites reconnecting with both the natural world and each other, by creating a relaxing, nature-inspired break from the city that enhances social connections.

Experimenting and prototyping was essential to the design process because it helped to refine the concept. Every iteration, from preliminary drawings to tangible prototypes, advanced my knowledge of how forms and materials respond to light and motion (caustics/dichroic foils). These practical experiments influenced important design decisions, guaranteeing that the final installation takes into account the desired interaction and experience.

The final design: Illuminate and Elevate, features dichroic plexiglass canopies that respond to the movement of the sun and reflect natural forms and light, and turnable chairs that provide a place to sit down and reconnect with other visitors. The design reinforces the natural phenomenon of the changing colours of the sun/moon due to its position in relation to the earth. In the meantime it gives more colour to the Hofbogenpark and city life.