'Constellations' meanders through Byzantium, a residential building by Rem Koolhaas in Amsterdam

'Constellations'
The owners association of Byzantium, the first residential building by Rem Koolhaas at the Vondelpark in Amsterdam, commissioned Studio Stallinga to create a light sculpture installation throughout their entire building. The light installation meanders throughout all floors, hallways and staircases.

The monumental circles of light floating in Byzantium reflect off the building's surfaces, creating curved lines in the glass windows and highly polished granite flooring. Through the glass walls, it is sometimes hard to identify which light curves are real and which are solely reflections, giving these spaces an extra dimension.

Byzantium by Rem Koolhaas, OMA
The first residential building by Rem Koolhaas is characterized by its use of multiple materials and forms: they conflict and contrast throughout the building. Green marble contrasts with walls made from ruby-red granite. Cold stainless steel surfaces juxtapose warm wooden hallways with a pinkish highly polished granite. Rectangular shapes oppose round or slightly triangular areas.

The light sculpture is incorporated throughout the building, from the grand entrance to the garage, and from the broad hallways to the stairwells. It visually and spatially connects all areas within the building. Following the key architectural concept of contradicting materials and forms, the light sculpture, with its own composition, form, and material, becomes an integral part of the construction.