LARS NIXDORFF

Twinkle Twinkle

Twinkle Twinkle’ is an installation that stands for transparency and communication. Glass and light – as traditional transmitter of information – are its core matters. The structure was designed for the ‘Luminale’ light-festival 2014 in Frankfurt, Germany.

The aggregation of hundreds of single glass members creates an installation that shapes a totality in form. Singular glass elements, radially arranged on a dynamic spatial system, transporting and transforming light. Each element behaves both as structural and information mediums of communication. The resulting sensorial effects are materialised through the interaction of the glass bars, natural and artificial light sources and sound.

The hyperboloid form of Twinkle vertically divides into six sections. The load-bearing components of the triangulated structure are float laminated glass rods. The horizontally extending flat sheets of the vertical sections shortcut the ring forces and form the detail connection between the triangulated extending truss rods of glass. The connection between glass and steel members as the load-bearing detail ensures adhesive connection with a hinged mounting bolt.

‘Twinkle Twinkle’ is designed for day – and nighttime experiences. During daylight, it appears fragile, transparent, with decent colorful light effects from spectral light dispersion, the refraction and reflection of its surrounding. Due to its set-up, it plays with the notion of scale, thus creating a changing close-far experience to the observer, dissolving from a total shape to discrete elements while approaching the installation.

Depending on the visitor`s attentiveness, carefulness of observation and point of view, the installation and its effects appear in endless variations. At nighttime, the predefined, but random appearing light impulses achieve a changing, non-consistent image that does not have a clear narration. The randomized succession of short visible and audible sequences, appearing in varying intervals, creates an unexpected interaction experience to the observer, who falls into the dependence of waiting and expectancy.

The multimedia experience is underlined by sound that is synchronized to artificial light effect. It is the unexpected overlapping effect of aggregate members and layers of perception that create a unique and deep experience.

2014 WAN GLASS IN ARCHITECTURE AWARD-shortlisted

Born and raised in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Lars Nixdorff received in 2003 his Diploma degree in Architecture from University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt with Honors and in 2005 his Diploma in Advanced Architectural Design with Honors from SAC -Städelschule Architecture Class- at the Städelschule Staatliche Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Frankfurt am Main, Germany under the tutorship of Prof. Ben van Berkel, Prof. Johan Bettum and Prof. Mark Wigley.

From 2006 until 2008, Lars has been Architect forUNStudio Amsterdam, being responsible Design Leader for several realized and winning projects. Among others he successful contributed to Finance and Tax office IBG, Groningen, The Netherlands, The Museum of Middle East Modern Art MOMEMA, Dubai, United Arabian Emirates, The Theater of Spijknisse, Spijkenisse, The Netherlands. Returning to Frankfurt in 2008 Lars has been working as independent Architect on several project developments, among them residential developments in Hamburg and Berlin, as well as contributed several competition entries and project collaborative studies. Between 2010 and 2013 Lars has been collaborating withFranken Architekten based in Frankfurt am Main, fulfilling the role of Design Director and working in several national and international projects and competitions. Among other projects he has been project leader for the completion of the BMW showcase pavilion of the Olympic Games 2012.

From 2008 till 2010, he has been appointed as Guest Professor at the SAC/ Städelschule Architecture Classfor Architectural Design in Frankfurt/Main. Since 2012 Lars is member of the board of directors of the Foundation Stiftung Städelschule für Baukunst.