Architectural Project Uses LEDs To Simulate Organic Growth

A unique architectural installation harnesses the awesome power of environmentally-friendly LED light to simulate organic tree-growth.

The installation, designed by British architecture studio Orproject, entitled Vana, was commissioned by the India Design Forum and takes the form of a stunning forest of paper trees, shot through with stunning LED lights.

Orproject’s web site states that this innovative installation, “…explores advanced geometries with an ecologic agenda, the integration of natural elements into the design results in an eco-narrative.”

The four trunk-like structures are placed at seemingly random intervals throughout the space in a non-pattern that mimics the way trees grow in nature. This idea is further explored through the complex process used to create the organic shapes and apparent growth of the trees.

“We wrote a computer algorithm to simulate this development, in order to grow architecture," explains Christopher Klemmt, co-founder of Orproject.

Massively Reduced Carbon Footprint

The decision to utilise eco-friendly LED light for the installation also seems highly significant, especially given the subject matter. After all, in simulating processes of growth and renewal at work in nature, isn’t a form of light that requires less power and creates a much reduced carbon footprint the best one to use?

Recent studies suggest that electricity usage is responsible for up to 50% of our carbon footprint, and 17% of that figure is due to lighting alone. We’re highly dependent upon electricity to meet a great many of our daily requirements, and it can be produced by burning fossil fuels which are a finite commodity, or from renewable sources such as hydro, solar and wind-power.

A person, household or business’s carbon footprint is directly linked with the amount of electricity consumed and the method used to produce it. Most of our electricity, however, is produced by fossil fuel-burning plants, and it’s estimated that for every kWh of electricity a household consumes, 830g of CO₂ equivalents are released into the air.

Energy-Savings Too

LED lights and bulbs consume up to 20 x less electricity than wasteful incandescent and luminescent bulbs of similar brightness, thus leaving a greatly reduced carbon footprint, and costing considerably less to run.

Thus, merely by replacing existing, profligate light bulbs in the home with LEDs, it’s possible to lower your carbon footprint by an enormous 6 tonnes per year.

To put this into perspective, a saving of 6 tonnes is the equivalent of cutting petrol consumption by 3,182 litres, which equates to approximate savings of between £3,405 and £3,818 per year.

At an average 50,000 hours based on an 8 hour working day, LEDs’ life-expectancy is also many times greater than both of its traditional counterparts. This means they require less maintenance and fewer replacements, working at optimal performance for over 17 years.

Unlike fluorescent and incandescent bulbs, LEDs are manufactured using completely recyclable materials, thus reducing the likelihood that they will end their lives in landfill sites and, containing none of the toxic Mercury that halogen bulbs require to produce their light, LEDs will never cause damage to the environment.

Bring LED Light Into Your Home

Should you wish to emulate Orproject’s incredible Vana installation in your home, or indeed in any setting you choose, check out the wide range of LED strip lights on offer.

With these incredible energy-efficient light strips, you’ll be able to create some amazing colour-changing lighting effects either indoors as feature and general lighting, or outside, perhaps to enhance the ambience of your garden.