Catoptric Surface

The research project is a robotic façade system where each mirror rotates independently, controlled by a computer and electric motors to reflect daylight from the exterior deep within the building in precise locations. In this sense, each mirror can be considered to produce a pixel of daylight. The location of each pixel of light is determined by any raster-based image that is provided to the software. As each mirror rotates to reflect daylight onto a chosen location, it  attempts to recreate a very low resolution version of the input image. This prototype could be used to control specific practical quantities of daylight for varying needs, but also to generate atmospheric effects.

Principal Investigator Chandler Ahrens, Graduate School of Architecture, Washington University in St. Louis
Co-Investigator Roger Chamberlain, Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis
Researchers Scott Mitchell, Adam Barnstorff, Joshua Gelbard
Design, fabrication and assembly team Armaan Shah, Ryan Treacy, Adam Goldberg, Clayton Faber, Kyle Singer, Meredith Bickett, Alessandro Guttilla, Jonah Lillioja, Sophie Olund, Katie Engelmeyer, and Jiaheng (KJ) Kuang
Location Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
Schedule Design 2016-2017 / Fabrication & installation 2017-2018