Oat Foundry Reimagines Walls with Full-Color Kinetic Art

PHILADELPHIA, PA – February 25, 2026 – In a world saturated with digital displays, Philadelphia-based engineering firm Oat Foundry is making a decidedly analog declaration. The company, known for its modern revival of the classic Split Flap sign, today announced the launch of Chroma Flap, a modular, full-color kinetic wall system designed to transform architectural interiors into living, multi-sensory experiences.

The new system moves beyond the alphanumeric limitations of its predecessor, creating an architectural canvas capable of displaying cascading patterns, vibrant gradients, and pixelated artwork through the mesmerizing dance of mechanical flaps. It represents a significant step for the company and a compelling new tool for architects and designers seeking to create more human-centric, engaging environments without adding yet another glowing screen.

The Tactile Revolution in a Screen-Saturated World

Chroma Flap arrives at a moment of "analog resurgence," a growing trend in design where tactility and physical presence are valued as an antidote to digital fatigue. Industry organizations like the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) have noted a distinct shift toward experiences that connect with people on a physical and emotional level, moving beyond the passive consumption of on-screen content.

Oat Foundry is leaning directly into this movement. "Everyone's adding another screen. We're doing the opposite…and it's working," says Mark Kuhn, Oat Foundry's CEO and Co-Founder, who was recently elected to the SEGD board. "For over a decade, we've built real things that move people. Chroma Flap is the fullest expression of that mission: mechanics and color working together to make the built environment feel alive."

Unlike a silent, static video wall, a Chroma Flap installation is a multi-sensory event. The gentle, fluttering sound of the flaps cascading to form a new image creates a subtle acoustic texture, while the physical movement provides a visual depth that digital pixels cannot replicate. This focus on "invisible technology"—mechanics that integrate seamlessly into an experience rather than dominating it—aims to create a more profound connection between a space and its inhabitants.

Engineering a Living, Breathing Mural

At its core, Chroma Flap is an evolution of the same mechanical magic that powered mid-century train station departure boards. However, Oat Foundry has reimagined it as a sophisticated, programmable art medium. The system is modular, allowing for installations of nearly any size, from a statement piece in a boutique hotel to an atrium-scale mural in a corporate headquarters.

Designers can specify a custom palette from Pantone's library or work with curated color collections to match a project's branding and material strategy. This content is managed through Oat Foundry's proprietary "Portal" software, a cloud-based system that allows users to upload images, logos, and even data visualizations. The software translates these inputs into bit-style art and schedules them to create what the company calls "episodes"—shifting moods and visuals that can transition a space from a quiet morning ambiance to a high-energy evening atmosphere.

"With 50 colors at large scale, you can continuously change the artwork and never see the same thing twice," explains Creative Director Sarah Van Bemmel. "Unlike a static mural, the content grows with your space, evolving alongside a brand's identity."

This dynamic capability is powered by a system that is also notably sustainable. Oat Foundry claims Chroma Flap consumes a fraction of the power required by large-scale digital video walls, a significant advantage for clients pursuing LEED certification or other green building standards. The displays are engineered for longevity, a stark contrast to the rapid obsolescence cycle of many digital technologies.

From Transient Spaces to Memorable Destinations

The primary application for Chroma Flap is in what designers call "transient spaces"—areas like lobbies, hallways, and transportation hubs that people typically pass through without a second thought. The goal is to transform these environments into memorable destinations.

"A lobby, a train station, an airport—all can be bland spaces we forget quickly," notes Zach Wallace, an Engineering Project Manager at the company. "Chroma Flap creates a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impression, a conversation piece and a reason to return."

This philosophy of "placemaking" is central to modern commercial architecture, where lobbies are becoming community lounges and offices are adopting hospitality-driven designs. Oat Foundry has already proven the power of this approach with its Split Flap installations for a roster of global clients including Google, Netflix, and Starbucks. A recent landmark project for Nespresso's North American flagship store featured a massive 42,000-flap animated wall, demonstrating the technology's ability to serve as a powerful brand storytelling tool and a kinetic centerpiece at an architectural scale.

A New Canvas for Architects and Designers

Engineered and manufactured entirely at their Philadelphia headquarters, Chroma Flap was developed with seamless architectural integration in mind. The modular system can be recessed into a wall, surface-applied, or framed with custom millwork to align with a project's specific aesthetic. This flexibility provides architects and designers with a unique medium that bridges craft, technology, and art.

The system's pixel-driven compositions and mechanical motion also tap into current aesthetic trends like modern nostalgia and retrofuturism, offering a forward-thinking design element that still feels grounded and tangible.

"Chroma Flap captures everything people love about analog signage—the tactile movement, the iconic sound, the presence you can feel—and elevates it into a multi-sensory art form," says Kristy Brunhofer, Director of Sales. "Unlike alternative art mediums, the artwork can evolve endlessly, giving each space a living, ever-changing atmosphere."

By combining the nostalgic charm of mechanical displays with the versatility of a full-color, programmable canvas, Oat Foundry is offering more than just a new product. It is providing a compelling answer to the question of how to create deeply engaging and emotionally resonant spaces in an increasingly digital world.