Shadow Play by Höweler + Yoon

Shading for an urban park in the desert city of Phoenix, Arizona.

The powder-coated steel structure is composed of clusters of geometric modules that are thin but structurally rigid. The clusters – held up by vertical supports – block the intense daytime sun and create ever-changing shadows on the concrete pavers below. Photovoltaic panels are mounted to the top of the canopy, with each module oriented to capture sunlight. Power generated by the solar panels is stored in batteries and used at night to illuminate the structure.