A Living Landmark in Eindhoven
Zwerm
Client
Femeente Eindhoven
Design
Tjep.
Production
Heijmans
Location
Montgommerylaan, Eindhoven
Materials:
Coated steel elements, aluminum framing, RGB LED lighting (Color Kinetics).
Size
Approx. 65m length, 21m span, variable height.
Date
2019
Collections/Exhibitions:
Permanent public commission; featured at Glow Eindhoven light festival.
a living organism integrated in the urban landscape
Zwerm—Dutch for "swarm"—transforms Eindhoven’s John Lennonstraat underpass into a vibrant, living artwork that pulses with the city’s rhythm. Unveiled in 2019 by Frank Tjepkema and Tjep.’s Amsterdam studio, this dynamic sculpture transcends static public art, embodying an abstract flock of birds through 728 meticulously crafted stainless steel elements and 1,456 individually controlled RGB LED lights. As Tjepkema describes: “The continuously responsive movements of Zwerm make it not just another static work of art in the city but truly a living organism integrated in the urban landscape.”
Inspired by Nature’s Dance
Drawing inspiration from the mesmerizing, synchronized flight patterns of starling murmurations, Zwerm stretches over 200 meters with a 21-meter span, connecting the upper and lower traffic streams of the underpass. Suspended on just four points, the lightweight aluminum and steel structure appears to float ethereally. Its LED nodes, powered by Color Kinetics iColor Flex LMX gen2, animate in real-time, responding to traffic density and weather: tranquil glides in sparse flows, frenetic dances during rush hour, and color shifts from cool blues and greens in crisp weather to fiery reds and oranges in warmth, weaving urban and natural rhythms into a luminous ballet.
Co-Created with Community Vision
Originally commissioned by Eindhoven’s municipality for a modest light sculpture, Zwerm evolved through co-creation sessions with local residents into a bold landmark for the “City of Light.” Reflecting their aspirations—futuristic, innovative, iconic—Tjepkema crafted a continuous ribbon of light and form, elevating the underpass into a beacon of connectivity and wonder, seamlessly integrated with Signify’s Systems Center Europe for precise control.
Acclaimed Urban Innovation
Zwerm garnered the 2020 National Staal Award for its masterful use of steel and a nomination for the 2021 Dirk Roosenburg Award, including a Public Award bid, cementing its status as a pinnacle of interactive design.
From Tjep.’s visionary atelier, Zwerm invites all to experience the fusion of art, technology, and urban life—a soaring testament to Eindhoven’s innovative spirit for every passerby.