Grow
Studio Roosegaade is located in a former glass factory in the harbour of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. They are a progressive company that is pushing the boundaries of sustainable design, using modern lighting technology to inspire a new age of projects with lower carbon emissions.
Studio Roosegaarde revealed 'Grow' in January 2021 - a 20,000 square-metre light installation, designed to highlight the beauty of agriculture while also improving crop growth. The lights have been programmed to illuminate in specific sequences which create certain 'light recipes'. These use of lighting can be used to increase plant growth and reduce the use of pesticides by up to 50%.
'Grow' is a prototype project, which was used to test run this new agricultural technique and showcase the possibilities of lighting recipes in the future. Studio Rossegaarde would like to eventually take this technology to a global scale, while further experimenting with different light recipes to suit a wider variety of crops types.
The idea for the project was inspired by a local farm in Rotterdam. Prior to this project, Daan Roosgaarde had spent little time exploring the Netherlands vast agricultural landscape, so he was keen to make a stamp on such a large part of his country. The Netherlands is 'one of the worlds largest producers of vegetables, and is a renowned pioneer for sustainable agricultural techniques.
In recent years, there have been advancements in photobiological lighting technology. Research suggests that certain combinations of light can not only strengthen plant metabolism but also create resistance to both pests and disease. With this new technology and Roosegaardes recent inspiration, the idea for the project came to life.
This technology has been used in greenhouses, however, Roosegaarde saw an opportunity to test its potential at a larger scale in agricultural fields.
Specific types of ultraviolet light produced from the lighting systems activate the defence systems of crops and plants alike. This allows farmers to reduce the use of pesticides as crop species can more effectively protect themselves from pathogens and disease. This benefits the environment as chemical pesticides greatly reduce biodiversity, cause soil erosion and pollute waterways.
Studio Roosegaarde created high-density LEDs and positioned them at different points around the field. The devices are automated and move up and down, distributing the light evenly across the field. As they move, they create beautiful patterns of colour and shadows, which completely changes the field from an empty and black space at night, into an eye-catching, awe-inspiring art installation. This may seem like a unique occurrence, but if the potential of this technology is recognised, these illuminated fields could become more common practice.
https://www.dezeen.com/2021/01/18/daan-roosegaarde-grow-light-installation-sustainable-agriculture/
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