The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering commissioned ABI to create an installation for the main entrance to its new home at Harvard University. An installation in two parts, it encompasses the main sliding glass doorway and an adjacent moving glass partition-wall.

ABI utilized its Adaptive Fritting™ technology in both walls. The Institute's door is adorned with a gradated pattern of hexagonal dots in slender floor-to-ceiling panels that continually shift in transparency. Together these panels run through a computer-controlled routine both random and choreographed — until approached by a visitor to the Institute, which triggers a sequence that precludes the door's opening.

Stepping through the doorway presents visitors with a full-color partition wall, for which ABI explored the merging of 3-dimensional design with 2-dimensional artwork. A grid of twelve custom Adaptive Fritting™ units continually shifts its color, transparency, and imagery, at moments aligning into one of two alternate images. Fitting with the focus of the Wyss Institute, the artwork is based on photographs from nature and architecture; custom software created by ABI was used to abstract the images and apply a custom color-palette complementing the Institute's interior design and architecture.

Door:

12 sq. meters of adaptive surfaces
Dimensions: 3.5m x 3.5
Material: Digital print on clear acrylic,
laser-cut acetal, stainless steel, glass
Number of operable units: 12

Wall:

21 sq. meters of adaptive surfaces
Dimensions: 6m x 3.5m
Material: Digital print on clear acrylic,
laser-cut acetal, stainless steel, glass
Number of operable units: 12

Architect:
Payette

Frame and glass fabricator:
The Permasteelisa Group

Scenes from "Unseen Beauty: A Visual History of the Molecule" used with permission of director Jane Nisselson.