Grow

Studio Roosegaarde has unveiled Grow, a 20,000-square-metre light installation designed to highlight the beauty of agriculture while also improving crop growth.

The Rotterdam-based studio, led by designer Daan Roosegaarde, used red, blue and ultraviolet lights to transform a field into a dynamic artwork.

As well as creating a visual spectacle, the installation serves as a prototype for how certain “light recipes” can be used to increase plant growth and reduce the use of pesticides by up to 50 per cent.

The first ideas for the project came after an early morning visit to the farm. As a self-confessed urbanite, Roosegaarde told Dezeen he had spent very little time exploring the Netherlands’ agricultural landscape, so was amazed to experience it first hand.

Despite being a relatively small country, the Netherlands is one of the world’s largest producers of vegetables, second only to the United States, and has established itself as a pioneer of highly efficient farming techniques.

“We thought we should highlight the beauty of this agriculture,” said Roosegaarde. “These vast fields feed us, but nobody sees it.”

Shortly after, Roosegaarde became aware of advancements in photobiological lighting technology. Research suggests that certain combinations of light can not only strengthen plant metabolism but also create resistance to both pests and disease.

Although the technology has been used in greenhouses, Roosegaarde saw an opportunity to test its potential at a larger scale.

“A specific ultraviolet light activates the defence system of plants. And what is interesting is that it works on all crops,” the designer explained. “So we can reduce the use of pesticides.”

Pesticides are known to have a significantly harmful effect on biological diversity, one of the pillars of sustainability. If the farming industry was able to reduce reliance on them, it would be of great benefit to the environment. Source Dezeen / amy frearson