inflatable pavilion by pneuhaus mimics dragonfly’s vision through 221 camera obscuras - Designboom
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compound camera no. 3 creates a tactile viewing environment where hundreds of live images appear at once across a translucent surface; a construction of glass lenses, urethane-coated nylon, and air that allows visitors to adjust individual projections by hand. Kip Reinsmith edited by christina vergopoulou October 14, 2026 4 min prefer designboom on googleCompound Camera No. 3 inflatable pavilion mimics dragonfly visionPneuhaus creates Compound Camera No. 3, an inflatable pavilion composed of 221 camera obscura cells that project multiple views of the surrounding environment onto its translucent inner surface. Inspired by the compound eyes of dragonflies, the installation explores how different perspectives can coexist within a single structure. Each cell contains a glass double-convex lens, with its proportions and focal length determined by optical calculations. The pavilion combines concave and convex surfaces to direct views outward and inward, referencing the arrangement of a dragonfly’s ommatidia, which are oriented to observe different parts of its surroundings.
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