A Building that Snaps ‘Selfies’

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015


Here’s a design even teens may find interesting—a building that can physically transform its facade to take on the appearance of the people inside it.

It’s the ultimate “selfie” real estate and was designed for the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.

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MegaFaces was an architectural installation inspired by the self-portrait.

Called “MegaFaces,” the construction is referred to as the “Mount Rushmore for the digital age,” according to its London-based architect Asif Khan Ltd. The project was commissioned by the Russian telecommunications company MegaFon.

The installation was recently named a top design by The Design Museum and won a Cannes Lions Award for Innovation in 2014.

How It Worked

The installation’s LED facade was able to transform into 26-foot-tall, 3D faces of its visitors, according to project details.

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Multi-camera 3D scanners set up in instant photo booths installed within the building and around Russia snapped visitor photos. The facial impressions were then sent to the kinetic facade, the architect says.

Those 3D images were displayed three at a time. Visitors who took selfies in the booths were notified by SMS message when it was their time to shine on the side of the building.

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They also received a live video link of their monumental selfie to share via social media, of course.

Tagged categories: Aesthetics; Architecture; Awards and honors; Color + Design; Design; Technology


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