Cumulus Parasol – Studio Toer

The Cumulus Parasol is a solar powered parasol that inflates itself when the sun starts shining.
This artificial cumulus cloud protects you from the sun. Whenever the sun comes out, this parasol inflates automatically to a cloud like shape using a solar panel at the top. The Parasol inflates in about 20 seconds. The inflated Cumulus has a diameter of two meters. The cloud doesn't have a metal core structure. Solar panels are positioned on top of the parasol. When it is sunny, these panels power a fan which inflates the body of the parasol. When the sun goes away the parasol deflates automatically.

For the MUDAM Museum in Luxembourg we designed a custom version of the Cumulus parasol. Under the glass ceiling of the Henry J. and Erna D. Leir Pavilion hangs an artificial cloud. At the top a solar panel collects energy. The energy is used to inflate a series of balloons. In about two minutes the space is filled with a cloud. It provides a shade for the people in the pavilion.

The autonomous character of the project gives the installation a feeling of a living organism responding to its surrounding. This project brings liveliness to the space and at the same time protects you from the sun.