Stars from Home
Eight pillars form shadows in a circle, each holding a unique cultural perspective of the celestial world, telling a story about the stars from home.
01 / Purpose & Vision
Connecting Culture to the Cosmos
Stars from Home is a public installation project designed to connect the University of Waterloo (UW) community with the sun, moon, and stars through diverse cultural perspectives and representation. Comprised of eight unique pillars representing prominent cultures in the UW community, the installation encourages inclusivity, celebrates unity, and fosters curiosity about celestial objects.
A Platform for Learning and Belonging
The installation invites viewers to learn from, engage with, and feel connected to celestial elements, their homeland, and the broader UW community. It promotes cultural education, accessibility for all abilities, and environmental responsibility through sustainable materials.
System of Concern
Connecting the UW Community with the Sun, Moon, and Stars
Promoting Cultural Education and Inclusivity
Fostering Community Engagement
Accessible to Individuals of all Abilities
Incorporate Sustainable Materials
02 / Ideation & Design
From 120 Ideas to One Vision
We brainstormed over 120 ideas before narrowing down to three final contenders. Ultimately, we chose the pillar design because it best met our goals. The telescope concept was too limiting—usable by only one person at a time—while the coloured glass idea was overly dependent on sunlight, reducing visibility and reliability.
We used the engineering design process of researching, planning, testing, and iterating. Low-fidelity prototypes were made using cardboard and crafting wire. In parallel, we developed digital renderings in Blender to simulate the sun’s path and its impact on the installation’s shadows. We revisited our requirements and added multi-sensory elements to improve accessibility—such as physical engravings and braille translations—so the installation could be experienced even without sunlight.
will it work pt. 2313142
03 / Functionality & Form
Interactivity Beyond Sunlight
The pillars are designed so that sunlight casts shadows of wire-frame images onto the ground. However, to ensure interactivity at all times, the same images are engraved onto the pillars for tactile engagement. The use of wire allowed for intricate designs and flexibility in creative expression.
Data-Driven Design Decisions
Many design choices were guided by survey data. We asked users about pillar layout preferences and pillar aesthetics, which allowed us to iterate using feedback loops and create detailed specs, benchmarks, and design analyses.
To better understand the full scope of our installation, our team created a systems diagram outlining all inflows, outflows, clouds, and links within the project. This diagram helped us visualize how materials, energy, information, and user interactions move through the system, allowing us to identify areas for improvement in accessibility, sustainability, and user engagement. It served as a valuable tool for aligning our design decisions with our goals of inclusivity and impact.
we made the end!
05 / Takeaways
This project taught me a lot about the iterative design process and the importance of accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability in public installations. I developed technical documentation skills, improved in both physical and digital prototyping, and saw how design can bring communities together. Our prototype successfully addressed both functional and emotional goals—and has real potential to make a meaningful impact if implemented.
