In the digital age, retail venues must work harder than ever to attract visitors by offering an experience that they cannot find merely by clicking buttons and scrolling down their smartphone screen. Hence, the infusion of art and interactive installations in retail and hospitality venues. 

Two recent installations by AaaM Architects, installed at the PMQ and K11 Mall last month, were great examples of these. 

In lieu of a giant Christmas tree, AaaM Architects designed a pavilion within PMQ’s heritage building in Central. A 17 x 11-metre semi-translucent wave-like installation made from vinyl mesh commonly used for roller blind was hung seven metres high above the open courtyard.

More than 1,000 metres of fishline were woven into this structure, forming an enclosure which was then filled with helium balloons. Sinuous benches made from acrylic both opaque and translucent completed the scene. 

Lighting projections were installed to give an ever-changing glow on the hanging cloud at night while natural light penetrates through the cloud to the open playground in the daytime.

“With the idea of combining architectural design and lighting effect together with primary school science, we hope to create a stage of freedom for imagination and interaction,” said Shuyan Chan, the co-founder of AaaM Architects. “Within this space, the interaction is open and multi-dimensional, and that people could slow down their pace.”

Installed at the piazza at the K11 Art Mall,  The Game of Light was an interactive lighting installation that invited active engagement from its audience, both individually and collectively. The installation comprised over 150 light rings arranged three-dimensionally under the mall’s glass canopy that will change colour by detecting the movement underneath them. 

Visitors, dubbed ‘players’ by the designers, could alter lighting in the space. With a synchronized collective effort, multiple players could even achieve a specially designed lighting effect that gives an ultimate shine to the space. 

“Living in this city could sometimes feel devastating and hopeless,” said Chan. He elaborates, “The team played with the concept of empowerment that each individual is innately special, and their potential could be unleashed to make a difference. While acting collectively and targeting on one common goal, the group could have even greater power to make a change in the installation.”

Images courtesy of AaaM Architects