Living Room

Carate Brianza, Milano, Lombardi, Italy, 2003

This permanent installation project acts as a vitalizing remedy to the existing condition of a stagnant and static subterranean swimming pool environment. It is also to disguise an exposed ventilation ductwork system that invades the interior pool area of a private residence. The solution uses a panel system of semi-translucent plastic slats to construct a woven, fabric-like wall of interlocking ribbons. These modules of undulating ribbons are mounted over a series of pistons that are activated by motion sensors along the lap pool. This movement of the translucent ribbons creates a kinetic (breathing) wall, which is similar to the ripple effect on the surface of water. The bottom of the pool is covered with a rich pattern of mosaic tiles, which suggest a tropical garden by catching refractions of light and shadow from the ribbon wall. This ensemble of elements transforms a dark and rather oppressive recreational area into a facility full of light and movement.