Philips Sheds New Light on Buckminster Fuller's Iconic Fly's Eye Dome

MIAMI, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the past's most futuristic designs will became firmly rooted in the present, when the recently-restored Fly's Eye Dome by Buckminster Fuller will be unveiled at Design Miami 2011 this weekend -- now illuminated by revolutionary light-emitting diode (LED) technology from Philips.

As a featured installation at Design Miami 2011, the global forum for leading edge design, the Philips Color Kinetics-lit dome can be viewed in Miami's Design District as part of the Design Miami Satellite Exhibition programs. General show hours will be held Wednesday, November 30 through Sunday, December 4. Visit www.designmiami.com for details.

The 24-foot, monohex, geodesic Fly's Eye Dome – patented in 1965 by R. Buckminster Fuller as a futuristic, low-cost shelter – was one of the renowned inventor/architect/environmentalist's most iconic structures, and one that he wrote would "be highly efficient in its use of energy and materials."  He envisioned the structure would be used as a beautiful, fully-equipped, air-deliverable dwelling machine that would weigh and cost about as much as an automobile.

Thanks to the creativity of Philips' Chief Design Officer, Rogier van der Heide, the Fly's Eye Dome installation at Design Miami now features controllable, energy-efficient LED lighting technology from Philips Color Kinetics that complements the iconic shelter.

Philips Color Kinetics transforms environments through dynamic and innovative uses of light. The award-winning LED lighting systems, lighting controllers, and custom lighting solutions reinvent light as a highly-efficient, long-lasting, environmentally-friendly, and inherently-digital source of illumination.

"The collaboration is a natural fit for both Philips and the Buckminster Fuller Institute, who share a common mission to advance human well-being and the health of the planet's eco-systems through the pioneering synthesis of art, design, advanced technology and science," said Elizabeth Thompson, Executive Director of the Buckminster Fuller Institute, which is headquartered in New York. "Philips is engaged in research and development of the kind of innovative technology that Bucky envisioned for this structure over four decades ago."

The Fly's Eye dome is just the latest in an impressive list of over 34,000 global landmarks lit with revolutionary Philips Color Kinetics products that are specifically designed for architectural and entertainment applications.  

According to Rogier van der Heide, "The opportunity to do the lighting for the Fly's Eye Dome is a designer's dream. The new LED lighting puts Bucky's designs in a contemporary light that creates a unique experience, while also honoring his need for environmental stewardship."

For more information about Philips Color Kinetics, please visit www.colorkinetics.com.

For further information, please contact:
Silvie Casanova,
Senior Manager, Lighting Communications,
Philips Electronics North America
Ph: 781-418-7928
Email: [email protected]

About BFI

The Buckminster Fuller Institute is dedicated to accelerating the development and deployment of solutions which radically advance human well-being and the health of our planet's ecosystems. We aim to deeply influence the ascendance of a new generation of design-science pioneers who are leading the creation of an abundant and restorative world economy that benefits all humanity.

By facilitating convergence across the disciplines of art, science, design and technology, our work extends the profoundly relevant legacy of R. Buckminster Fuller. In this way, we strive to catalyze the collective intelligence required to fully address the unprecedented challenges before us. Visit www.bfi.org

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity." Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs over 120,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 22.3 billion in 2010, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

SOURCE Royal Philips Electronics