The Osmanthus Moon installation by HCCH Studio creates a temporary illuminated structure in Shanghai by placing a translucent dome over a semicircular lawn and supporting it with a bronze framework patterned with osmanthus-inspired motifs. The dome spans 7.2 meters in diameter and 3.6 meters in height, using an elastic fabric skin that diffuses daylight to produce an even interior glow. The frame and fabric system forms a lightweight enclosure that can be assembled and removed without altering the park’s terrain. The project was commissioned for a seasonal public event and uses material transparency to guide visual focus toward the surrounding landscape during the day.
The installation becomes a light source at night when internal illumination activates the bronze lattice and creates clear surface patterns across the ground. The simple structural method enables repeat use in different locations, and the design emphasizes cultural references through its floral geometry. The result delivers a pop-up environment intended for short-term public engagement during festival periods.
Image Credit: Guowei Liu
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Pop-up Urban Installations
- Urban spaces are being transformed through temporary, movable structures that enhance public engagement without permanent alterations.
- Day-night Transformative Architecture
- Structures that shift their functional or aesthetic roles between day and night offer dynamic experiences for users and attract ongoing interest.
- Cultural Symbolism in Design
- Incorporating local cultural motifs into modern design can create meaningful and visually engaging public attractions.
Where This Applies
- Event and Festival Management
- Companies within this industry can enhance their offerings by incorporating versatile, reusable installations for memorable experiences.
- Modular Construction
- The rise of lightweight, easy-to-assemble structures presents new opportunities for the industry to expand into urban and temporary spaces.
- Lighting Design
- Experimenting with interactive illumination in public installations can create novel user experiences and drive innovation in lighting solutions.
