Lumens

"Lumens" was an early exploration of interactive light, featuring 36 custom-built, four-foot LED tubes suspended above the lobby of the Little Building. Motion tracking systems analyzed pedestrian movement below, generating dynamic lighting patterns in real time. Developed as part of Lavella's academic thesis on multiuser interaction, "Lumens" laid the groundwork for his evolving practice—merging technology, space, and audience movement into responsive, immersive environments.

Interactive Multiuser Artworks: An Exploration of Engagement and Environmental Response (2012)

Examining the mechanics and effects of interactive artworks through learning theory, phenomenology, and group dynamics, Lavella's research explores how audience movement reshapes digital environments, culminating in Lumens as a case study in real-time interactivity.