At the Craft Contemporary Museum in Los Angeles a solar-powered pavilion has been installed to cool and refresh visitors

The design studio Departamento del Distrito has created a photovoltaic pavilion at the Craft Contemporary Museum in Los Angeles, designed to supply the necessary electrical power for the courtyard where it is installed.

The installation, titled Light Gauge, was curated by the architecture organization Materials & Applications and occupies an open-air space along Wilshire Boulevard, between the museum and a neighboring clinic building.

The pavilion consists of two main structures located at each end of the courtyard. Each one is made up of elevated canopies constructed from repurposed telecommunications frames, showcasing a sustainable and adaptable design approach.

The canopies combine south-facing photovoltaic panels with corrugated polycarbonate and metal mesh, creating a balance between functionality and visual lightness. Additionally, steel elements painted in bright green and yellow tones provide structural support and add a vibrant character to the composition.

According to Departamento del Distrito, the installation is connected to inverters and ground-based batteries, which supply energy to various electrical components, such as hanging fans, lights, and retractable cables.

This system allows the museum to expand its outdoor programming, addressing both operational needs and “the everyday needs and whims of the courtyard’s visitors,” as the studio explained.

“The panels provide shade. The fans generate a gentle breeze. The energy is free,” said the team, highlighting the pavilion’s energy efficiency and the sensory experience it creates.

The studio added that the Light Gauge concept is inspired by “adaptable industrial systems and networked thinking,” a philosophy that blends technology, flexibility, and participatory design.

This project joins other climate-responsive architectural installations, such as a structure by Henning Larsen and the University of Pennsylvania that circulates cool air, and a Harvard pavilion covered with potted plants and an inflatable canopy.

With offices in Mexico City and Houston, Departamento del Distrito, founded in 2017 by Francisco Quiñones and Nathan Friedman, focuses on public, residential, and curatorial projects, strengthening its reputation for integrating aesthetics, sustainability, and technology.