IKARUS

Innovative OLED technology opens up unique new opportunities and properties. The light sources do not only impress with their lightness and paper-like thinness, but especially with their flexibility, as well as the option to produce OLED surfaces in almost unlimited dimensions. The aim of the IKARUS project was to take up and set in scene exactly these new possibilities.

IKARUS is giant, flexible light source that spreads out like a huge sail in architectural space while its large illuminated surface constantly changes and transforms in gentle, wave-like movements. Thereby the light shines through a special structure that reacts to these movements and — depending on the curvature of the OLED surface — opens up or closes in order to allow more or less light to shine through. IKARUS is more than two meters long and has 14 integrated servomotors. The elastic structure in front of the OLED panel is made out of lasered natural caoutchouc.

The constant movement of the OLED panel and the ongoing transformation of lightning atmosphere is generated by individually programmed motors which are connected by different levers and joints. Intention of the design concept for the construction was that the shape and formal language of functional elements should not spoil the exceptional lightness of the OLEDs. Instead, the design should rather enhance and underline it. Consequently, the aesthetic of all elements is designed very slender, open and filigree.

The project is based on a long process of prototyping and experimenting with numerous three-dimensional models and structures which respond to the bending of a ground-surface and accordingly open up or close their perforations.

On the basis of the structure experiments, a function model with five integrated motors was developed, with which it was possible to demonstrate different wave motions and visualize the principle of dimming light by transforming an elastic structure.