Philippe Malouin lights up Miami Design District with orbiting installation
Philippe Malouin has brought a "rollercoaster of light" to Miami's Design District, where a globe-shaped LED light revolves around a raised track.
The London designer was commissioned by Craig Robins – co-founder of Design Miami – to create an illuminated installation for the Christmas season.
![Miami: The Speed of Light installation by Philippe Malouin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/the-speed-light-installation-philippe-malouin-design-miami-lighting_dezeen_2364_col_4-852x1172.jpg)
His response, The Speed of Light, is a rollercoaster-like installation with a spherical LED light coursing around a five-metre-high track.
"The Speed of Light transforms humble urban design fixtures into a playful rollercoaster of light," said the designer. "Coursing from Palm Court down the Paseo Ponti, simple globes of LED light roll down five-metre-high light-post tracks, accompanying visitors as they walk through the neighbourhood."
![Miami: The Speed of Light installation by Philippe Malouin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/the-speed-light-installation-philippe-malouin-design-miami-lighting_dezeen_2364_col_1-852x568.jpg)
The Miami Design District is the brainchild of Robins, who is developing the formerly neglected area into a neighbourhood dedicated to fashion, design, architecture and dining spaces.
The district already includes a retail building with a glass arcade by Sou Fujimoto, a dome by Buckminster Fuller and a store with a pleated concrete facade by Aranda\Lasch for Tom Ford.
![Miami: The Speed of Light installation by Philippe Malouin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/the-speed-light-installation-philippe-malouin-design-miami-lighting_dezeen_2364_col_3-852x568.jpg)
Also within the district is the first US flagship store for Italian watch brand Panerai, which was conceived by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola.
![Miami: The Speed of Light installation by Philippe Malouin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/the-speed-light-installation-philippe-malouin-design-miami-lighting_dezeen_2364_col_0-852x1278.jpg)
Malouin graduated from Design Academy Eindhoven and set up his studio in 2009 after working for British designer Tom Dixon. His previous work ranges from an installation of swings at a Milanese palazzo to a collection of geometric planters.
He is also the director of architecture and interiors practice Post-Office, which has completed projects including the UK headquarters for Aesop and Dezeen's former offices in London.
Photography is by Robin Hill.