Inspired by the light of the sun, and backed by scientific research that proves a new, specific light can safely clean up to 99.9% of the coronavirus, Studio Roosegaarde launches the world’s first Urban Sun today.
Daan Roosegaarde and his team of designers, external experts, and scientists challenged themselves to discover how the power of light can be used to combat viruses and therefore enhance our well-being. Research shows that though traditional 254nm UV light is harmful, the new far-UVC light with a wavelength of 222 nanometers can actually sanitize viruses safely.
Urban Sun, a project in development by Studio Roosegaarde, shines a large circle of this far-UVC light into public spaces, cleaning those spaces of the coronavirus. It acts as an additional layer of protection to current government rules. Urban Sun aims to inspire hope. It combats the negative impact of social isolation by aiming to improve cultural gatherings, sporting events, public squares, and schoolyards.
In the renderings, they position the Urban Sun in open pubic gatherings or pathways in busy public streets. But where I see this having significant traction are openings to malls, retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, airports, and any other high traffic areas where safe disinfecting of people and places needs to happen.
If you are a trusting person like myself, NOT…I don’t trust anyone out in public until the virus is gone. People don’t socially distance anymore. Shops have way more than the allotted individuals in there. And the virus continues to spread especially with this new variant while the government continues to think it is safe for us to go out.
What I do love is the ingenuity in not creating more barriers but in bringing us together. How can this new piece of innovation be applied to existing and new buildings and spaces in the future?
Richelle Sibolboro 