The London Oasis

london_oasis.jpg

The London Oasis, first seen on Clerkenwell Green last summer, has been resurrected at the Chelsea Flower Show.

London Oasis opened on 19th June 2006 as a temporary structure on Clerkenwell Green.

Designed by architect Laurie Chetwood, the Oasis is a demonstration of sustainability and renewable energy working with architecture to provide a tranquil oasis for London.

The 12 metre high kinetic structure mimics the design of a growing flower: its photovoltaic “petals” open and close in response to the sun and the moon utilising daylight to generate power. This is supplemented by a hydrogen fuel cell and wind turbine to make it self-sufficient. It even uses rainwater it has collected for irrigation and cooling.

At the base, the Oasis has five “pods” inside which people are secluded from the noisy and polluted city surroundings, enjoying cleaner cooled air and relaxing sounds. There are also five further areas providing social rendezvous and venues for entertainment.

The Oasis is “smart” in that it interacts with the environment around it. It senses time, the weather and people, and responds accordingly. At night, it uses energy stored during the day to power a beacon in the form of a light show which responds to the movement of people around.

Official site
Guardian feature
Flickr photos

One thought on “The London Oasis”

  1. It just goes to show that even new and evolving technologies can be beautiful and artistic.

    John, thank you for sharing your art with the rest of us.

    Barrett Niehus, the Solar Pundit

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