Designer Katsuhiro Ozawa brings his poetic artistry to the Pause bamboo sculpture at the 2015/2016 Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism in Hong Kong. Christie Lee writes.
January 21st, 2016
Given all the worry surrounding the depletion of our natural resources, it seems befitting that the theme for the 2015/2016 Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism in Hong Kong is ‘Visions 2050: Lifestyle and the Smart City’. A saunter through the expansive Kowloon Park, where the biennale is held, generated thoughts about co-habitation, community and heritage conservation, but it was Katsuhiro Ozawa’s bamboo tunnel bridge that left a most long-lasting impression.
A sustainable material that can be harvested rapidly, bamboo has long become a ubiquitous part of the Hong Kong psyche and cityscape, used variously in kitchenware, home furnishing and most visible of all, the construction scaffolding around town.
“It is a material that has been used for construction as far as construction existed, and now we see it as the perfect material that alludes to a sustainable future for 2050 and beyond,” notes Ozawa, a design leader at Woods Bagot.
Weaved together by thin bamboo splits, Pause is intended as a work that would allow us to “take a moment out of our busy lives to reflect on our selves while simultaneously allowing us to embrace our natural surroundings.”
By day, light filters in through the fibres, casting dancing shadows on the concrete, grass and water, while by night, the sublime sculpture becomes a dark tunnel that one might vigilantly enter. The porous nature of the sculpture reminds constantly of the existence of the ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ worlds, and how nature – the light, wind, and human voices – could fluidly move between the two realms. Extended at the top, the splits rub against the wind to create a soft rustling whisper.
From the side, the sculpture appears as a curtain of bamboo splits, as if chiding visitors to peel it open in order to discover the gem of a design structure behind. Meanwhile, the symmetrical reflection echoes the other symmetries seen in the park, be it the petals on a flower or branches on a Banyan tree.
Pause runs until 28 February at the 2015/2016 Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism in Hong Kong.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
As well as considering the materials and processes used to manufacture furniture solutions, companies like Workspace are shifting their focus to the entire lifespan of products.
In this brand new exhibition, GH Commercial’s custom carpet solutions help local artists create joyful installations that each tell a unique story.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Explore the future of cancer treatment at the Australian Bragg Centre, where a revolutionary design by Woods Bagot integrates cutting-edge proton therapy with patient-centric features, including natural light and adaptive Verosol blinds, creating a space that merges innovation and empathy for a holistic healing journey.
In this comment piece republished from INDESIGN #90, Woods Bagot’s Global Sustainability Leader in Los Angeles brings questions of equality to design in the climate crisis.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Ahead of the 2024 edition in Perth, renowned international architecture practice, OMA, launches its PRINCIPLES collection pushing the boundaries of modularity in office furniture.
MECCA’s Customer Support Centre stays put, but Studio Tate’s interior design has added totally new layers of colour and energy to the space.
Designed to drive positive change, promote sustainable practices and cultivate inclusive communities, the recent launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Design will champion the role of urban design in shaping the nation’s identity.