Step into the grand entrance foyer of Lacon House, and you're immediately transported into a mesmerizing celestial ballet. Hundreds of frosted orbs, suspended between vertical brass rods, pulse with life in a carefully choreographed five-minute sequence. More than just a lighting display– it's a journey through day and night, compressed into moments. 

A Decade of Creative Collaboration

For well over ten years, Ben Rousseau Studio has partnered with the visionaries at Acrylicize, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in commercial art installations. This latest project showcases the fruits of that longstanding relationship, blending artistic vision with technical prowess.

The installation comprises two complementary pieces, each telling a different chapter of the sky's story. The larger section, visible from the street, reveals a colossal sphere representing the sun. As this celestial body fades, a scattering of smaller orbs ignites, mimicking the appearance of stars across the night sky. Finally, attention shifts to the right, where the moon takes form, completing the cosmic cycle.

Engineering Artistry

Bringing this vision to life required innovative thinking at every stage. We collaborated closely with MDM Prop makers to develop novel production methods and installation systems. One particularly ingenious creation was the "ball frosting machine" – picture a sandpaper-lined washing machine, gently tumbling and texturing hundreds of cast acrylic spheres destined to house LEDs and wiring.

The scale of the project presented its own challenges. Two massive metal frames, each with separate ceiling panels, were first assembled and tested off-site in MDM's expansive workshops. This allowed us to troubleshoot and perfect the intricate lighting sequences before the final on-site installation.

A Race Against Time

As with many ambitious projects, the clock became our constant companion. The team put in countless late nights, meticulously rebuilding the frames using genie lifts and fine-tuning the programming. Every hour was precious as we pushed to meet the grand opening deadline.

More Than Meets the Eye

This installation isn't just about creating a striking visual centerpiece. It's an exploration of how we perceive time and our connection to natural rhythms in an urban environment. As busy Londoners rush through their days, this piece offers a moment of reflection – a gentle reminder of the cosmic dance happening above, even when hidden by city lights and cloudy skies.

For the team at Rousseau Design, this project exemplifies our commitment to pushing creative boundaries while delivering function-meets-art solutions for our clients. It's a testament to the power of long-term partnerships and the magic that happens when design, technology, and artistry converge.

For enquiries contact studio@benrousseau.com