Mikontalo Lights Project
The Mikontalo Lights Project was created by the students of Tampere University of Technology in Finland. "The object of MIKONTALOLIGHTS was to create the world's physically largest colored graphics platform by using the windows of Mikontalo's D-staircase as light pixels.
The platform was used to play Tetris and other games and to present demos created by the students of Tampere University of Technology."
The technique used in this project sounds intriguing. Each window acts as an individual pixel substituted by LED lights that are controlled by computers. A total of 99 pixels are available to display static and moving content in different colors.
Mikontalo Lights Project
The games and demos are controlled using a mobile phone and either a Bluetooth or WLAN connection. Below are some amazing videos that show students playing Tetris and a Space Invader clone. Some demo movies - they actually held a demo competition - are shown at the end as well.
Update: The building was undergoing construction in December 2007 that is why it was selected by the students for the project as they had access to all rooms with windows of the building. Obviously, the height of the building played another important role as it would not have been as groundbreaking if the building was smaller in size.
Building construction continued for two more years and students who visit the Tampere university find affordable - for Scandinavia - apartments here. The close proximity to Tampere Technical University - less than a kilometer - makes it a desired location for students who go to that school. Apartments start at about 206 Euro per month if they are shared and go up to 536 Euro for family apartments that offer more living space but still only one bedroom.
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