Knitted structure wins 2017 MoMA young architects award

Jenny Sabin Studio, Ithaca, N.Y., has been named the winner of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) PS1 competition for a temporary urban landscape titled Lumen. New York architect Jenny Sabin brings solar-active textiles into her complex, lyrical design for the annual Young Architects Program—the “Academy Awards” for young practitioners—set for a June exhibition on the grounds of the Museum of Modern Art PS1 campus, Queens, N.Y.

“Jenny Sabin’s catalytic immersive environment, Lumen, captured the jury’s attention for imaginatively merging public and private spaces,” said Sean Anderson, associate curator in MoMA’s Department of Architecture and Design. “With innovative construction and design processes borne from a critical merging of technology and nature to precise attention to detail at every scale, Lumen will no doubt engage visitors from day to night in a series of graduated environments and experiences.”

The tubular knitted structures of Lumen feature a canopy of recycled and solar active textiles that will absorb, collect and deliver light. An integrated misting system will respond to visitors’ proximity, activating the fabric “stalactites” that produce a refreshing micro-climate.
“The two responsive fibers are photoluminescent and solar active,” says Sabin. “These are knitted with recycled fibers as a base by Shima Seiki with their WHOLE GARMENT 3D digital knitting process. [Shima Seiki and I] have been collaborating and working together since 2012.”

For more information, visit www.moma.org.

Design Team
Principal and Lead Architectural Designer: Jenny E. Sabin
Project Lead and Manager: Dillon Pranger
Design & Representation: Jingyang Liu Leo, Diego Garcia Blanco, Mark Lien
Robotic Fabrication: Andrew Moorman and Andres Gutierrez
Virtual Reality: Christopher Morse
Content Coordination: Jordan Berta
Model Assistance: Jasmine Liu
Video: Cole Skaggs
Engineering Design: Clayton Binkley, Arup
Lighting Design: Jeffrey Nash
Knit Fabrication: Shima Seiki WHOLEGARMENT
Misting Systems: Mist Cooling Inc. with special thanks to Larry Geohring