This pavilion in Seoul, Korea displays dynamic information about air quality in the city and responds to user input via social media. I first heard news of the project in May when I posted a link to the news roundup, but now it’s finally built and quite impressive.
Designed by David Benjamin and Soo-in Yang of New York who comprise the firm The Living, the permanent installation called Living Light depicts a large map of Seoul divided up into 27 neighborhood regions corresponding to existing air monitoring stations that glow or flicker to reflect air quality information. A panel is lit if its air quality has improved from the previous year or if someone requests air quality information about a segment via SMS. Additionally, every 15 minutes, the entire display goes dark and is illuminated sequentially by neighborhood air quality from best to worst.
The installation seeks to explore the dynamic building facade of the future, but its shape also brings to mind a bus stop. Imagine the possibilities for real-time information display built into the architecture of transit stops based on this model.
For more on how the project was designed, built, and functions, make sure you check out the Living Light web site which acts as a slideshow using the Next button on the top of the page. [Via Information Aesthetics.]
