​​​​​​​​​ASU Cronkite School of Journalism

Aldis or Passive Solar Light Engine​​​​


ARTIST:   Paul Deeb
DATE:   2008
LOCATION:  ASU Conkite School of Journalism, 555 N Central Ave
TYPE:   Art Installation
MATERIALS:   Glass, aluminum, titanium
BUDGET:   $480,000
DISTRICT:   7
ZIP CODE:  85004​​​


Deeb tapped the principals of green design to create his artwork. Turning the façade into solar-powered convection chamber, he reduced the heat load on the building's south-facing interior stairwell and produced an artwork projecting an ever-changing display of subtle colors and light on the glass. Deeb worked closely with the building's architectural team, HDR and architect Steven Ehrlich to integrate the work into the architecture.

The resulting facade is a shallow chamber sandwiched by two glass walls. The 71-foot-high chamber, which is vented at the top and bottom, acts as a “solar chimney," drawing warm air upward. The flow channels heat away from the building's surface and helps to cool the stairwell on hot days. It also drives the artwork's effects of swirling light.

These effects come from 600 highly reflective aluminum air foils that spin inside the chamber and reflect light onto the façade's 102 specially designed glass panels. The display is visible from both inside and outside the building, day and night. The title refers to the Aldis Lamp (invented by Arthur C.W. Aldis), a marine signaling device that uses shutters to produce pulses of light.​