Water lamp and pinwheels: ambient projection of digital information into architectural space

Abstract

We envision that the architectural spaces we inhabit will be an interface between humans and online digital information. This paper introduces ambient fixtures called Water Lamp and Pinwheels: a new approach to interfacing people with online digital information. The Water Lamp projects water ripple shadow created by a “rain of bits.” The Pinwheels spin in a “bit wind.” These ambient fixtures present information within an architectural space through subtle changes in light, sound, and movement, which can be processed in the background of awareness. We describe the design and implementation of the Water Lamp and the Pinwheels, and discuss their potential applications as well as design issues.