OBOS Ulven

Client:
OBOS

My Role:
Creative Direction

Type:
Experience, Light installation

Agency:
Expology

OBOS' main office is located at Ulven, a suburb outside Oslo. OBOS plans for urban development and visiting centre at Ulven promotes the innovative new housing and urbanisation of this part of Oslo. As of now Ulven is still a construction site; noisy and dark. With infrastructure under development, getting there isn't as easy.

Expology was hired to perform intervals of studies and experiments as part of events at Ulven. Ultimately, we would use this knowledge to further develop the visiting centre for OBOS.

'Brighten up Ulven' happened during christmas time. The energy-saving theme at OBOS is depicted by the light installation that comes to life with the ambient sounds of Ulven.

Energy saving theme at OBOS, the light installation comes to life with the ambience of Ulven and its surroundings. Wind, construction noise, traffic and voice - all is picked up by the installation.

The installation was kicked off during the Xmas event at OBOS. We invited a choir to sing a selection of christmas songs.

The Content

Technical
— 01

The technical components of the installation: a mic is connected to the Raspberry Pi 4 - which sends signals to the DMX that controlls 16 channels of LED lights. Each channel works both individually and as one unit - depending on the pitch and volume of the sound input.

HSB colour theory
— 02

The programming is based on the HSB colour model (Hue, Saturation and Brightness). Hue is the pureness of the colour, saturation the richness and brightness how dark/bright the colour is. The hue works in a random cycle. The Saturation is affected by the pitch of the sound. The brighness is affected by the volume of the sound.

The Build

Assembly, installation and testing.

The light installation had two stages. The first was the event where a seperate PA system was connected to the installation. And the second stage where microphones were installed to create the interactive installation reacting to its surroundings. The installation was on the grounds for two months.