Architecture & Environment

Lines of Desire: Illuminated Trace Tile

Natalie Woolf

The illuminated trace tile is a floor or wall tile that lights up in response to touch and results in a gentle trail of light radiating out across the surface as one walks across it or touches it.

The tile was developed as part of Natalie Woolf's PhD research and involved collaboration with Stijn Oosvoort who is also a graduate of the RCA's Design Products MA programme.

The tiles use an electronic system with smart sensor technology and LED light sources. This system enables a light source to freely cross tiles and not be defined by the physical shape, creating a soft trail of light. This responsive surface requires no complex installation or maintenance services and can be built to site-specific requirement for slower or faster reaction time and lesser or greater light spread, depending on the type of interaction required.

Illuminated Trace Tile is ideal for use in smart architecture, caring or monitored environments and public spaces, providing a practical demonstration of the connected landscape.

Illuminated Trace Tile is a Royal College of Art Selected Work and is covered by US Patent 7,331,686, EP1464207 and other international granted patents and patent applications. Trace Tile s currently undergoing further testing and development.

For further information contact InnovationRCA.