A key aspect of the design is the creation of the Moiré Effect, the first time Shawcross has ever used this optical phenomenon in his work. The effect is created by overlaying the perforations on each panel at different angles to each other, resulting in a dynamic and beguiling surface which appears to change continually.
 
The impactful and visually ambiguous new landmark offers a different viewing perspective from every angle. Facing east and west, The Optic Cloak’s two main surfaces will filter daylight enhancing both the form and the visual effect of the Moiré pattern. During the evening the tower will be lit from within, continually redefining the shape of the structure and its surroundings. 

As Shawcross explains, “I wanted to create a response that celebrates the commission’s function as part of the Energy Centre’s flue, rather than trying to hide it. I started to research the history of camouflage as I was intrigued by its seemingly paradoxical nature – often it makes the object or animal it’s disguising more visually arresting. 

I was particularly interested in a type of Maritime Camouflage called ‘Dazzle Camo’ which was used on ships during the First World War, as well as in Cubism and Op Art. The idea is to break up the surface of the object, creating false perspectives and vanishing points. I thought it was important to give the commission a dynamic quality. For those passing, it will evolve radically as you pan by and under it.
 

Another key issue I have remained very conscious of, and have used as a driver for the idea, is the fact that this a low carbon Energy Centre for the Peninsula and so the lightness and efficiency of the structure and form has been at the core of my thinking and the development of the design.”
 
To explore how he could make the design of the commission more efficient, Shawcross worked in partnership with CF Møller Architects and engineers Structure Workshop Ltd to re-model the original steel framework proposed for the outside of the flues. By transforming it from a heavy, traditional orthogonal frame into a lightweight diagonal structure the innovative new design reduces the frame’s weight by 40% and creates more transparency in the composition of The Optic Cloak itself.
 
Knight Dragon said: “We were won over by its innovative design – vivid, sculptural components derived from Shawcross’ mathematical and scientific approach. We also welcome its low environmental impact on the overall build. We are thrilled to be integrating Shawcross’ optical cloak system in what is primarily a functional purpose –a built structure, delivering integral services to our emerging resident community.”

The commission is one of many art-led initiatives by Knight Dragon, who are transforming London’s Greenwich Peninsula from an industrial wasteland to an eclectic new neighbourhood home to 30,000 people, all wrapped by the river Thames. Covering 150 acres in the dynamic east of the city, the Peninsula is one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe.
  
In April 2016 Shawcross will also unveil Paradigm, his commission for the new Francis Crick Institute building at their site in King’s Cross, London.
 
The Peninsula already has a collection of existing high profile cultural assets including the 02, Ravensbourne College of Design & Communication and artworks such as Antony Gormley’s Quantum Cloud and Richard Wilson’s A Slice of Reality sculptures. NOW gallery, a new contemporary arts space opened in September 2014 and a year later the Greenwich Peninsula unveiled Alex Chinneck’s A Bullet from a Shooting Star (an inverted electricity pylon) in partnership with the exhibition of Straight Jacket Star Jumps at NOW gallery.
 
The Optic Cloak is a cultural partnership, developed and brokered by Futurecity as part of their place-making work for Knight Dragon.
 

ABOUT THE ENERGY CENTRE, GREENWICH PENINSULA
Greenwich Peninsula Low Carbon Energy Centre will house technically advanced boilers and Combined Heat & Power (CHP) that will provide heat energy to the businesses and 10,000 homes due to be built on the Peninsula in the coming years and is part of the Peninsula’s Sustainability Strategy. Heat energy will be distributed via a District Heating Network (DHN) from the Energy Centre to each plot across the area. In this way, the Energy Centre could save 15-20 thousand tonnes of carbon. This type of technology is considered one of the core answers to address the National Grid’s deemed 2% spare capacity and responds to the cross-party drive to increase the use of CHP across the UK and to realise a vision of decentralised energy power generation in London. To demystify the process of energy generation, the Energy Centre will house a Visitor Centre offering an interactive educational experience for prearranged groups of visitors. The building footprint allows for flexibility in adopting energy technology over the building’s substantial lifetime.