Luminarium
By Architects of Air. Presented by Creative Barking and Dagenham and Barking Riverside Ltd, supported by Riverside School.
This giant inflatable structure, created by Architects of Air, filled with glowing, colorful light, invited people to step inside and explore a maze of winding tunnels and vividly illuminated chambers.
From the moment visitors entered Luminarium, they were transported into a dreamlike world of light, color, and sound.
The structure’s translucent walls bathed each room in vibrant hues of red, blue and green.
Luminarium also featured a soundscape that enhanced the sense of calm.
The gentle music filled the air as people wandered through the maze, making the space feel both meditative and magical.
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Franck Allais
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Jimmy Lee
Image by Franck Allais
Image by Franck Allais
Image by Franck Allais
Image by Franck Allais
Community events
Something that made Luminarium even more memorable was hosting different community groups.
Community events inside the glowing maze, included yoga sessions and storytelling for children and visits from local care homes.
Practicing yoga within the calming, light-filled chambers added a new layer of relaxation and connection for participants, as they stretched and meditated in this truly unique setting.
The space provided the perfect backdrop for mindfulness, with the soothing atmosphere and flowing design enhancing the peaceful experience.
Hundreds of Students visited
The installation also opened its doors to hundreds of students from Riverside School, who came to experience Luminarium as part of their educational activities at the start of the new school year.
Working in partnership with the school, the grounds hosted the Luminarium for a week during September.
The maze encouraged exploration, curiosity, and a sense of wonder for the students as they moved from one glowing chamber to the next, with children aged 5 years to 18 years exploring the space.
A highlight of the summer
Luminarium invited everyone to step into a world of colour and light, to relax, to be inspired and to enjoy an alternative world of colour and form - inspired by nature.
From new born babies to care homes residents, the Luminarium welcomed people from across the local area.
This remarkable event brought people together, making it a highlight of the summer and a feature of the Emerge East festival at Barking Riverside.
