A wave of light in motion—Fenton Wall transforms a pedestrian underpass into a living, interactive experience.
Tucked beneath the urban fabric of Cary, North Carolina, the Fenton Wall is more than a lighting installation—it’s a living piece of art that transforms a pedestrian underpass into an interactive experience. Designed in collaboration with Hines Development and artist Ansen Seale, this project was envisioned as a dynamic wave of light, responding to movement and the engagement of passersby. Every pedestrian becomes part of the show, their motion triggering ripples of illumination that wash through the installation’s hundreds of LED elements, creating an ever-changing visual spectacle.
Designing a Living Wall
A glowing dialogue between space, light, and those who experience it.
The vision for Fenton Wall began with the idea of movement—how could light mimic the fluidity of waves and respond organically to human presence? Working closely with artist Ansen Seale and Hines Development, we conceptualized a space where technology and design would merge seamlessly, creating a pedestrian experience that was both mesmerizing and interactive.
The Language of Light
To transform this concept into reality, we developed custom software that allows the LED system to respond in real time to pedestrian movement. Using motion sensors and precise programming in TouchDesigner, we created dynamic light patterns that ripple and shift as people walk through the space. The challenge was to ensure smooth, organic motion—balancing artistic intent with technical execution.
Precision in Every Pixel
The Fenton Wall required a durable and precise lighting system capable of seamless real-time interaction. We engineered custom LED fixtures optimized for uniform illumination and integrated them with a motion-responsive control system. The electrical and structural components were designed for efficiency, weather resistance, and long-term performance, ensuring a robust and easily maintainable installation.
Behind the scenes
Client: Hines Development
Lead Artist: Ansen Seal
Producer: Robb Pope, Digital Ambiance
Project Manager: Ramin Shambayati, Digital Ambiance
Mechanical Engineer: Ramin Shambayati, Digital Ambiance
Software Development: Kendrick Feller, Digital Ambiance & Alex Forkni