Client: Catellus Development Co.
Location: Austin, TX, United States
Completion date: 2009
Artwork budget: $555,000
Project Team
Artist
Mags Harries
Artist
Lajos Héder
Overview
SunFlowers was initiated as a buffer to mask the loading docks at the edge of a development from the I-35 highway. Instead of merely mitigating the site, the new design makes it into an attraction and an important facility in its own right.
Goals
The 15 SunFlowers that form the Electric Garden are sculptural solar collectors that generate solar energy to be used for lighting at night. During the day they provide a shaded grove for a pedestrian path and at night the LED’s in the SunFlowers’ stamens glow with blue light.
Process
The additional energy that they produce is fed into the electrical grid, which is monitored online at muellersunflowers.powerdash.com/. The project is both an icon for the sustainable, LEED certified development and a highly visible metaphor for the energy conscious City of Austin. Recipient of the 2010 Liveable City Vision Award for Esthetics.
Additional Information
SunFlowers, an Electric Garden Location: Austin, TX (2009) Client: Catellus Development Co. Size: 15 SunFlowers, 16’ high/ Site 30’ x 1,000’ Material: Photovoltaic solar collector panels, steel, land forms and planting Budget: $555,000 For more please visit www.harriesheder.com