How a digital water curtain redefines urban space

SafeRain digital curtain: technology applied to urban spaces

Situated in a rapidly evolving district of Prague, Roztyly Plaza is designed to become more than just an administrative complex. It envisions a contemporary environment, accessible for public use and seamlessly integrated with its surrounding green spaces. In this context, the imperative was not merely to address the functional requirements of an exterior space, but to imbue it with a unique identity, compelling appeal, and the capacity to cultivate enriching public experiences.

To address this requirement, SafeRain, in collaboration with its local partner KTS-AME, developed a solution based on a 4-meter digital water curtain. This was conceived as an architectural resource capable of activating the plaza and enhancing urban value. More than an architectural element, the installation introduces movement, light, and communication into a newly developed environment.

Impact at Roztyly Plaza: An Urban Solution with Added Value

Roztyly Plaza is integral to an urban regeneration initiative within an emerging district of Prague. In such developments, a paramount challenge involves preventing exterior spaces from becoming mere transitional zones, devoid of intrinsic character or the capacity to encourage prolonged engagement. The strategic integration of a digital water curtain precisely addresses this imperative: to introduce a distinctive element that imparts identity, dynamism, and cultivates a richer interrelationship among architecture, landscape, and the user.

The installed solution functions as a digital water wall that transforms the perception of the site. Its presence establishes a recognizable visual landmark within the complex, disrupts the static nature of the plaza, and creates a sensory experience founded on the interplay of water, light, and movement. From an architectural perspective, the water printer establishes a dialogue between the building, the public space, and the tranquil water surface, integrating technology and nature within a singular intervention.

Beyond its visual impact, the digital curtain promotes a more active engagement with the environment. It encourages individuals to pause, observe, and interact, transforming everyday transit into an immersive experience. Its real-time capability to display patterns, texts, or graphics also enhances its communicative dimension, enabling the space to adapt to new functionalities based on the specific moment or context.

Solution Description: a water printer integrated into the architecture

The installation comprises a 4-meter digital water curtain, configured with two 2-meter modules and integrated into a water sheet that functions as a reflective surface when the system is inactive. Building upon this foundation, SafeRain develops a solution that not only meets technical specifications but also embodies a clear objective of architectural integration.

Its operation is based on a system of vertical water jets controlled by ultra-fast acting solenoid valves which, coordinated by SafeRain's proprietary software, enable the generation of real-time visual patterns. Thus, the installation functions as a genuine water printer, capable of forming letters, shapes, and graphics in the air through the descent of water.

This digital water wall incorporates high-precision solenoid valves, control software with a simulator, RGBW LED lighting to enhance the visual effect during nighttime hours, closed-circuit operation to optimize water recirculation, and an integrated anemometer that adapts the system to environmental conditions. The result is a flexible, robust solution designed for continuous use in public spaces.

SafeRain's Value Proposition: Beyond Supply

In this project, SafeRain delivers a value proposition that extends beyond the provision of the digital curtain. The primary differentiating factor lies in the development of proprietary technology, encompassing both hardware and software. This enables the solution to be tailored to the specific requirements of each space, ensuring enhanced reliability, control, and customization.

This technological value is complemented by comprehensive support in design and planning, ensuring the seamless integration of the digital water curtain into the plaza's architectural scheme, along with technical assistance throughout the installation and commissioning phases. Consequently, SafeRain establishes itself as a specialized partner in water printing technology and bespoke solutions where water, engineering, and design must operate as a cohesive system.

Collaboration with KTS-AME: local execution, global vision

The collaboration with KTS-AME, responsible for the local execution and integration of the solution within the environment, was crucial for the successful realization of the project. The synergy between local contextual knowledge and SafeRain's international expertise in digital water curtains enabled the development of an intervention that is coherent with the identity of Roztyly Plaza and meets the project's technical and aesthetic demands.

Innovation that transforms spaces

This case exemplifies how a digital water curtain, when conceived as an integral element of the spatial language rather than merely a visual embellishment, can transform a public square into an immersive experience. At Roztyly Plaza, water transcends its conventional role to become architecture, communication, and landscape, thereby forging a more dynamic, identifiable, and memorable locale.

To gain a deeper understanding of how a digital water curtain can contribute architectural, functional, and sensory value to urban environments, please refer to the comprehensive technical details and applications of our digital water wall.