Dutch artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde (1979) is a creative thinker and maker of social designs which explore the relation between people, technology and space and best known for creating landscapes of the future. He founded Studio Roosegaarde in 2007, where he works with his team of designers and engineers towards a better future. Roosegaarde is Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum and featured by Forbes and Good 100 as a creative change maker. World's first URBAN SUN cleans public spaces of the coronavirus for better human gatherings. Inspired by the light of the sun, and scientific research that validates a new, specific light can safely clean up to 99.9% of the coronavirus, Studio Roosegaarde launches URBAN SUN. URBAN SUN is the second project of the series DreamScapes by Studio Roosegaarde and partners which show the beauty of combining art and science to create a better world.

Daan Roosegaarde and his team of designers, external experts, and scientists challenged themselves to discover how the power of light can be used to combat viruses and therefore enhance our well-being. Research shows that though traditional 254nm UV light is harmful, the new far-UVC light with a wavelength of 222 nanometers can actually sanitise viruses safely. URBAN SUN, a project in development by Studio Roosegaarde as a symbol of hope, shines a large circle of this far-UVC light into public spaces, sanitising those spaces of the coronavirus. It acts as an additional layer of protection to current government rules. URBAN SUN aims to inspire hope. It combats the negative impact of social isolation by aiming to improve cultural gatherings, sporting events, public squares, and schoolyards. Studio Roosegaarde has been researching the power of light for many years. The self-funded URBAN SUN was begun in 2019. The COVID19 pandemic made the project much more urgent. URBAN SUN connects design with science to provide innovative solutions for people to meet in a more humane way. URBAN SUN is created by Roosegaarde’s team, along with external experts and scientists from the Netherlands, the US, Japan, and Italy. The URBAN SUN’s far-UVC light source is measured and calibrated by the Dutch National Metrology Institute VSL. URBAN SUN meets the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) safety standards. The science behind URBAN SUN is based on multiple peer-reviewed journal articles authored by scientists from Columbia University and Hiroshima University. The research shows that specific ultraviolet light (far-UVC) with the wavelength of 222nm can reduce the presence of viruses, including various strains of coronavirus and influenza, up to 99.9%. Even though traditional 254nm UV light is harmful, this specific light of 222nm is considered safe for both people and animals. Leading authorities are enthusiastic about the project and are describing it as hopeful, promising and full of courage: -Carlo D’Alesio from MEG and Professor at Politecnico di Milano: “Virtual simulations indicate a positive impact of the Urban Sun in reduction of airborne coronaviruses in public spaces.“ -Matthew Hardwick PhD, President at ResInnova Laboratories, Washington D.C., who works with his team of virus experts and microbiologists: “Use of 222nm far-UVC in public space, as in Urban Sun, should prove to be both safe and effective.” -Professor Karl Linden, award winning innovator in UV technologies and founding board member of the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA), Colorado: “Urban Sun is inspiring. It will make enjoying public spaces safer and I look forward to visiting locations where this far-UVC sun is shining."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4A0E_1NXXU

https://www.studioroosegaarde.net/project/urban-sun

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Details

Building or project owner : Studio Roosegaarde

Project artist/ concept/ design/ planning : Daan Roosegaarde

Descriptions

Facade type and geometry (structure) : Specifications: 2019-2021, Black sphere with far-UVC light, other media and technical simulations. The URBAN SUN’s far-UVC light source is measured and calibrated by the Dutch National Metrology Institute VSL. URBAN SUN is available for exhibitions and open to collaborations with governments and partners to upscale and improve new applications.

Participatory architecture & urban interaction

Community or communities involved : Photography by Willem de Kam, Ossip van Duivenbode and Daan Roosegaarde. Movie by MediaMonks and Studio Roosegaarde. With special thanks to Jet Bussemaker, Public Health and Society Board, Matthew Hardwick PhD, President at ResInnova Laboratories, MediaMonks: Victor Knaap, Regina Romeijn, Jacques Vereecken, Karlijn Hendriksen, Els Tau, Tim Knots, Rotterdam Festivals, Professor Karl G. Linden of International Ultraviolet Association, Carlo D'Alesio of MEG Science and Professor at Politecnico di Milano, Dutch National Metrology Institute VSL, Andrea Evers of Leiden University, Project Open Air, Francis Goeltner, City of Rotterdam, Rotterdam Partners, NBTC, Bijl PR, Constantijn van Oranje, Eric van Eerdenburg Lowlands, RIVM National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Feike Sijbesma of DSM, City of Amsterdam, Omar Hatamleh of NASA, Dimitris Bountolos of Ferrovial and many more.

Mediacredits

Studio Roosegaarde

Studio Roosegaarde

Studio Roosegaarde

Studio Roosegaarde

Studio Roosegaarde

Studio Roosegaarde

Studio Roosegaarde