Philippe Malouin lights up Miami Design District with orbiting installation
Philippe Malouin has brought a "rollercoaster of light" to Miami's Design District, where a globe-shaped LED light revolves around a raised track.
The London designer was commissioned by Craig Robins – co-founder of Design Miami – to create an illuminated installation for the Christmas season.
His response, The Speed of Light, is a rollercoaster-like installation with a spherical LED light coursing around a five-metre-high track.
"The Speed of Light transforms humble urban design fixtures into a playful rollercoaster of light," said the designer. "Coursing from Palm Court down the Paseo Ponti, simple globes of LED light roll down five-metre-high light-post tracks, accompanying visitors as they walk through the neighbourhood."
The Miami Design District is the brainchild of Robins, who is developing the formerly neglected area into a neighbourhood dedicated to fashion, design, architecture and dining spaces.
The district already includes a retail building with a glass arcade by Sou Fujimoto, a dome by Buckminster Fuller and a store with a pleated concrete facade by Aranda\Lasch for Tom Ford.
Also within the district is the first US flagship store for Italian watch brand Panerai, which was conceived by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola.
Malouin graduated from Design Academy Eindhoven and set up his studio in 2009 after working for British designer Tom Dixon. His previous work ranges from an installation of swings at a Milanese palazzo to a collection of geometric planters.
He is also the director of architecture and interiors practice Post-Office, which has completed projects including the UK headquarters for Aesop and Dezeen's former offices in London.
Photography is by Robin Hill.