Services Overview
At Parallel, we specialize in realizing complex, collaborative projects ranging from site-specific lighting installations in challenging architectural contexts, to intricate public-facing and gallery artworks. With over 25 years of experience working alongside artists, architects, and engineers, we’re adept at managing intricate assemblies, coordinating large interdisciplinary teams, and evaluating and solving problems at all stages of a project’s development. Our process is built to adapt, combining rigorous design thinking, technical fluency, in-house fabrication, and the on-site agility needed to bring unique visions to life.
Electronics & Lighting Systems
Control Systems
Our video controllers are the brains of projects that require dynamic lighting, but are now compact and inexpensive enough for static lighting applications. These standalone units combine embedded, open-source computing platforms and fast FPGA hardware to distribute video data to LEDs. They can provide network based control, configuration, scheduling and remote monitoring. Our software can capture and record video data streamed from any ArtNet or SACN video source. A web front end provides a simple UI over phones or computers.
LED Technology
Parallel has developed an extensive IP portfolio of LED electronics to provide dependable, efficient and high quality light without compromises. We design and manufacture custom LED emitter boards that allow precise digital control of light output at the pixel level. Our custom emitter boards allow for specific form factors, selection of optimal LEDs and drive components, and tailored power and wiring designs. Our boards use industry standard constant current drivers that deliver 16 bit color depth and eliminate visible flicker. We can source white LEDs to 98CRI.
Computational & Industrial Design
Computational Design
Computational design is the application of algorithms to solve design problems. We maintain an extensive Python code library that allows rapid iteration and deep customization, helping solve specific problems that most CAD programs were never intended to address. This approach allows us to handle increasingly complex projects and streamline the creation of manufacturing data directly from our 3D models.
Industrial Design
Parallel began as an industrial design studio, and that foundation continues to shape our approach as we’ve expanded across disciplines into lighting and fabrication. The union of these specialties allows for holistically considered design, where manufacturing, installation, and serviceability are ingrained in a project from its conception.
We design with a deep understanding and appreciation for light as both a material and an experience, with the goal of realizing lighting at its highest potential, technically and atmospherically, in service of the project’s intended effect.
Fabrication
In-House Capabilities
Our fabrication studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn is equipped with both manual and CNC machinery.
Equipment includes:
— 6-axis robotic milling cell
— 3-5 axis CNC machining center
— Manual turning, milling, and surface grinding
— AWS certified structural welding
—Electronics assembly and integration
— Rapid prototyping with filament and resin printers
Materials:
— Aluminum, steel, and brass
— Acrylic, polycarbonate, and engineered plastics
— Composite and specialty materials as required
Installation & Execution
We are experts at hanging work
We work closely with architects, structural engineers and construction teams to plan complex installations early in the design phase, developing installation and service narratives to work out each step of the process, including load-in, rigging, testing and maintenance.
The Prow, Hudson Yards
This 65’ tall, 5000lb chandelier was built in sections that we joined together working on the ground, lifting the column with electric hoists as each new section was installed. A temporary rig on the top of the piece allowed us to continually test the piece at low power levels throughout the installation. The geometry of the stairwell makes lift access impossible, so we designed the project for rope access. The upper ceiling canopy has a stainless trim ring drilled out with carabiner holes.