Architects Of Air – Luminaria Leaves Visitors Cold and In Awe

The Situation

In January, Sydney was treated to Architects of Air  ‘luminaria’ – monumental inflatable structures where Islamic architecture, Archimedean solids and Gothic cathedrals meld into an inspiring monument to the beauty of light and colour.

The structures are designed to draw visitors inside their translucent vinyl walls to  experience a sense of wonder at the beauty of light and colour.

These monumental walk-in structures rise 10 metres at the ‘domes’ while tunnels connect these elements and determine the journey each visitor takes.  ‘Pods’ provide space for people to sit and relax out of the way of  other visitors.

Each luminarium is made up of around 20 elements that are zipped together on site to occupy an area of around 1000 m2.

The Solution

The luminaria was set up on the Opera House Forecourt and was a dazzling maze of winding paths and soaring domes. But how do you keep thousands of visitors cool inside air tight vinyl inflatable structures during a brutal Sydney Summer?

Active Air got the call. Luckily air conditioning tents and marquees is one of our areas of expertise.

Based on the structure size, expected heat load and layout we installed 8 x 18kW Packaged Unit Air Conditioners and associated electrical distribution equipment. to cool the enormous inflatable structure.

The Results

Thousands of visitors thronged through the installation and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, “People roamed about, pleasurably lost, smiling with wonder, delight and, who knows, perhaps something approaching contentment”. 

All the while at a very pleasing temperature despite heat-waves searing outside.

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