When I first saw discovered this amazing technology, I instantly wondered why no one has come up with a sunlight transport device before. The technology has been around for awhile, and the idea is so fabulous, you would think we would all have these in our homes by now. Swedish company Parans has developed a system of rooftop solar panels that collect sunlight and then transport it via fiber optic cables to illuminate light-deprived rooms inside a house. The light emitting luminaries, which hang from the ceiling like lamps, give off a mixture of parallel light beams and ambient light, which changes as the sunlight outside changes, resembling the dappling of sunlight through trees. Hence the name “Bjork” which is Swedish for Birch tree (No it doesn’t mean Icelandic pop star). The idea is that by bringing outdoor natural light inside a house, you will be able to re-establish a connection with the outside environment, even in the absence of windows or skylights. This sounds like a great idea for New Yorkers, with all the tiny lightless apartments out there. I want one! My one window faces a brick wall. NYC Developers take note.
The great thing about this is it seems to be fit for any application. This can be an excellent solution for vertical farms, where lighting throughout an entire floor is a challenge.
A similar system was profiled by Ripley’s Believe it or Not back in the early 1980s. Sunlight was piped from a skyscraper rooftop in Japan to an indoor greenhouse several floors down. Control over the spectrum meant tomatoes grew super-sized. Believe it or Not! I’ve often wondered what happened to that technology.
Just reviewed the Parans website, and can see so much potential for this if the range of available luminaires extends past the ‘very functional’ that they seem to offer at the moment.
You’re right that the technology gets cheaper..! Parans have now launched a webshop so you can see their prices directly. They’re launching the third generation of the light collector and later on also new luminaires.
Check it out!
http://www.parans.com
This concept is not unique to Parans. San Francisco architects, IwamotoScott designed the Fiber Optic Room concept several years ago, which transmits sunlight from the roof through a buildings floors to become the glowing walls of an occupiable space. Its on their website, look it up…
where can I buy or have installed?
how expensive are we talking about? considering this option in a residential remodel proj we’re working on now.
Hi
My institution would like to order one set of parans lighting system. How do we go about it? Do we have any problem fixing up the system on our own? And what is the cost of one complete system?
Thanks and waiting for your reply
geokchoo
Singapore
[...] devices here at Inhabitat. Some of our favorite developments this year have been things like Parans Sunlight Transportation system, and the Sunlight Table designed by two students from the RCA. Now the ingenious idea of bringing [...]
[...] Los sistemas de transporte para la luz solar también se pueden usar en una casa instalando un panel en el techo. [...]
unfortunately, he parans system seems to extremely expensive right now…probably due fibre optic costs, diffusers, i had been talking with them re: installing this sys. i am sure it’ll get more affordable later on. no reason why it wouldn’t work, i like this
[...] Sunlight transport systems are an Inhabitat favorite, as they make it possible to channel actual natural light into dark places and cast it through a fixture. The Subway Light Project is the first we’ve seen that incorporates sunlight transfer in public urban art, to save the city money on energy, and infuse public space with a good mood boost. Parsons student Caroline Pham, who designed the Subway Light Project, won first place in the school’s 2007 Sustainable Design Review. Her concept uses sunlight capture devices and fiber optics cables to channel sunlight into the enclosed corridors of the subway. [...]
Hello Sir:
I,M FROM CHINA.I WANT TO BE A AGENTOF sunlight-transport-system IN QINGDAO CITY OF SHANDONG PROVINCE.THIS IS A GREAT TECH OF THE NEW CENTURY.WOULD YOU PLEASE CONTACT US.
Hard to judge the application without seeing actual project photos with product installed. Anyone have link? The parens website is woefully lacking in pics.
[...] Because Neue Licht’s lights are all fiber optic, the light source can be in a different room or better yet, could even be powered by sunlight – eliminating the need for electricity entirely. (We can’t wait to pair these guys up with sunlight-collecting Parans). With the light source separable from the fixture, even when using an electrical source these lights are completely waterproof, providing a beautiful lighting solution for wet rooms like spas and pool rooms. Any number of lights can be fed by one source, dramatically increasing energy efficiency and reducing maintenance costs. Behold the future of lighting: Neueslicht! [...]
[...] Because Neuelicht’s lights are all fiber optic, the light source can be in a different room or better yet, can be powered by sunlight – eliminating the need for electricity entirely. (We can’t wait to pair these guys up with sunlight-collecting Parans). With the actual light source separable from the fixture, even when using an electrical source these lights are completely waterproof, providing a beautiful lighting solution for wet rooms like spas and pool rooms. Any number of lights can be fed by one source, dramatically increasing energy efficiency and reducing maintenance costs. Behold the future of lighting: Neueslicht! + UFO Chandelier [...]
stealth comercial grow op here I come
Your system has immense interest for us in our Country with the abundance of sunlight we have here.
Please reply to me on the possibilities of procurement for our country Republic of South Africa.
We have been in the manufacture of skylights since 1985 and our product enjoys wide popularity with Builders Public and Architects alike.
That is a very nice technology and must be considerded by all architects in designing new houses. They allways have problem for distribution of daylight.
more information please