Students Design and Build Ethera as Part of the 2023 Media Architecture Biennale

As part of the 2023 Media Architecture Biennale, DAS students have designed and built Ethera, an interactive LED installation nestled within college park. Ethera merges technology, art, and architecture into a dynamic and playful experience; the outdoor art installation is crafted from translucent polycarbonate sheets which are sculpturally filled with recycled glass aggregate, creating a tactile and textural surface that comes alive during changing light conditions. The interactive installation is a captivating display of light and motion, taking advantage of both artificial and natural lighting conditions through its polycarbonate skin and LED based lighting system. The balance between these two conditions creates a playful and immersive experience that invites visitors to engage with the installation. Whether you're wandering through the installation, sitting on a nearby bench, or simply passing by, the installation offers a unique and memorable experience for all. The installation is designed and fabricated by students from the Department of Architectural Science, and the Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University along with Toronto based lighting design studio Urban Visuals and StrongLED as an industry partner.

Faculty Advisor: Vincent Hui, Dave Colangelo
Lighting Design: Nathan Whitford (Urban Visuals), Marko Cindric
Industry Partner / Lighting Supplier: StrongLED
Lead Design: Ariel Weiss, Jana Stojanovska
Coordination: Ling Ding
Workshop Contributors: Jordan So, Filip Tisler, Jason Ramelson
Fabrication Team: Jake Levy, Dean Roumanis, Rachel Kim, Luke Jin, Irene Kim, Masrur Ananya

Images courtesy of Ariel Weiss and Jake Levy