PRIUS SOLAR FLOWER LOUNGE

by: Poetic Kinetics

This traveling installation consisted of 5 wi-fi enabled flower sculptures which each included seating for 10 people.  Created for and inspired by Toyota’s “Harmony Between Man, Nature, and Machine” campaign, the sculptures combined form and function via the addition of flexible solar panels on the back of each petal, which powered outlets for use in recharging cell phones and laptops. The Solar Flower Lounge consisted of custom cut and bent powder coated aluminum stalks, petals and leaves and molded polyethyelyne benches.  Solar panels charged interior batteries used to power 110V outlets, and 3G wireless internet nodes were located in the flower heads.  Color changing LED lighting provided atmosphere and illumination during nighttime hours. Installations: Various Cities, US, 2009  The Prius Solar Flowers are currently on exhibit at Toyota Headquarters in Torrance, CA