Atelier Manferdini Wraps Virginia Electrical Substation
Atelier Manferdini designs the inVisible facade wrapping Dominion Energy's substation in Virginia using pixelated ceramic tiles and folded aluminum.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Atelier Manferdini designs the inVisible facade wrapping a Virginia substation
- Features a dual-layer skin of custom pixelated ceramic tiles and folded aluminum
- Integrated programmable RGB LEDs illuminate the perimeter structure after dark
- The infrastructural upgrade supports rising energy demands in National Landing
Atelier Manferdini has revealed inVisible, an architectural envelope intervention wrapping Dominion Energy's Crystal Substation located at the intersection of South Hayes Street and South Fern Street in Arlington County, Virginia. Developed as part of an infrastructural upgrade, the project aims to replace aging equipment, increase capacity, and support rising energy demand within the National Landing area.
The project successfully conceals utilitarian power conversion equipment behind a multi-layered civic facade composed of custom ceramic tilework, folded aluminum rainscreens, and programmable LED lighting systems. This innovative design approach transforms standard industrial utility infrastructure into a striking contemporary public landmark.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The exterior envelope is bifurcated into two horizontal zones that contrast in material, texture, and visual weight. The lower plinth features glazed ceramic tiles in three modular dimensions of 2, 4, and 6 inches, designed by Atelier Manferdini to visually reflect internal step-down voltage conversions. Clad in a ten-hue gradient palette, the tiling layout was generated using custom scripts in the Processing creative coding environment, introducing synthetic visual glitching patterns that suggest dynamic electrical currents.
The integration of algorithmic coding tools like Processing to generate architectural tile layouts highlights a modern design trend where digital computation meets traditional ceramic craftsmanship. This technique successfully translates internal engineering processes into an expressive exterior visual language without requiring literal signage.
Above this pixelated ceramic datum, the upper band consists of folded, monochromatic anodized aluminum panels. The angular origami-like folds catch daylight and cast shifting shadows across the metallic skin throughout the diurnal cycle. After dark, integrated RGB LED arrays wash across both materials, modulating light intensity and color temperature to animate the perimeter of the civic utility site.
The inVisible project was designed by Atelier Manferdini, with local architectural and engineering services provided by Dewberry. The material palette includes custom painted precast concrete, anodized aluminum, and ceramic tiles, with project photography captured by Dave Huh and Coulter D. Toatley IV.
Source: designboom
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