The Circadian Clouds began with a simple observation: in this climate, people only enjoy the outdoors when the sky is cloudy. The award-winning concept asks what would happen if that sky could be summoned.

The design proposes a sky of floating cells — small, self-lifted by helium, carrying solar panels above and photochromatic surfaces below. The cells move with the sun throughout the day, holding shadow on the ground while leaving most of the sky open to view. The reference is the sunflower, whose Circadian rhythm keeps its face turned toward the light.

In practice, the system generates its own energy, stores daylight to reuse at night, and reduces the cooling load of the buildings beneath it. In effect, it imports a cooler climate.

Awarded the Cool Abu Dhabi prize from a field of 1,570 entries across 76 countries, The Circadian Clouds is architecture answered with weather.