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The Green Transfer is an innovative art mosaic located at 490 Spencer Street. The piece comprises of an automated, operable facade that delivers rudimental information about the environmental quality and performance of the building. Moving away from the appeal of digital screens and dashboards, the installation crosses building performance information with analog technology for an engaging dynamic experience of the built environment.
Exemplifying innovation in its use of recycled materials, the installation features an aluminium frame made up of 200 ‘flexing’ recycled road signs that have been cut and arranged to form 540 moving pixels. The signs themselves are designed with the intention of drawing attention from the Spencer Street vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Project Summary
200 'flexing' recycled road signs
540moving pixels
490 Spencer Street is a highly energy efficient building and is an annual net exporter of energy and hence why it was selected by the City of Melbourne Arts Programme to show case its green credentials. 490 Spencer St is equipped with large photovoltaic panels located atop the building’s roof, the building is a net positive exporter of energy and the low voltage installation is designed to operate without detrimentally effecting the buildings energy consumption. The piece is powered by low voltage electricity powered from the building.
The technology behind the Green Transfer is experimental in nature as the piece is controlled and operated by ‘hobby’ standard mechanical and electrical components used on an industrial scale. Beyond its architectural function, The Green Transfer is a platform for community excitement. By displaying information about the environmental and social performance of the building, it makes visible to the community what is otherwise invisible. Socialising environmental patterns, it brings to light that which is otherwise silent. Arup provided concept to detailed design services including structural design, controls, software programing and also oversaw the manufacture, testing and installation of the piece.
