‘lunar cubit’ is a site specific proposal to be constructed in abu dhabi, outside masdar city, 
and once completed will be the world’s first zero-carbon metropolis. 
winner of the 2010 UAE design competition for energy generating public art of the 
land art generator initiative, the project combines artistic vision with sustainable design and engineering.

overall, lunar cubit consists of nine pyramids that mark the lunar phases. 
it is constructed from solar panels that collect energy during the day and are illuminated at night, 
inversely proportional to the lunar cycle. the structures are made from glass and amorphous silicon, 
giving them the appearance of onyx polished to a mirror finish.

lunar cubit’ provides a personal experience, where one is able to literally reach out and touch a 
1.74 MW utility scale power plant in the form of nine monolithic pyramids. 
visitors are encouraged to walk amongst these beacons. stone paths flow around the structures 
in a repeating pattern mirroring buried electrical cables, conducting electrons from the 
outer pyramids to the central pyramid where inside, they are transformed into AC energy 
and transmitted to the local utility grid. co-locating walking paths and conduits minimize 
the footprint of disturbed land during construction, allowing the maximum amount of 
natural ecosystem to remain relatively untouched.