Chromatic Energy Landscape, a land art proposal by Barker Freeman Design Office for Dubai, UAE, generates a spatially and chromatically variegated landscape that engages, protects, and seeks to restore the natural biodiversity of native plants and animals. The proposal is organized as layered fields of photoresponsive energy generation systems that are also iridescent, phosphorescent surfaces intersected by a system of viewing platforms. Local renewable materials–native algae and vegetation, recycled glass and low-tech methods of construction– reshape the existing site into a colorful textured landscape.

Modular solar collectors with parabolic trough mirrors and lightweight composite structures are layered with iridescent coatings that reflect different fragments of the visible light spectrum. A system of open saltwater ponds supports the growth of algae for biofuel production and highlights the chromatically diverse nature of the species. Oils are extracted from the algae and converted to biofuel via photosynthesis, with a per-acre optimal yield of up to 10,000 gallons of oil per acre. The open algae pond system is also intended as a means to attract bird species to support the goal of attracting and engaging the adjacent wildlife sanctuary.