Silver A' Design Award Winner 2023
Lei Dong's Commercial installation deploys the spiral and concentric circle as primary symbolic vehicles, forms that carry profound archetypal significance across human cultures as representations of growth, cosmic order, and the eternal return of natural cycles. The descending rings evoke the annual growth patterns visible in tree cross-sections, transforming the architectural canopy into a metaphorical forest ceiling where visitors stand beneath the accumulated wisdom of ages. The rough, perforated texture of these sculptural elements suggests both organic emergence, like coral reefs or volcanic formations, and the weathering processes through which nature transforms raw matter into complex living systems. The central cylindrical display volume functions as a contemporary axis mundi or world pillar, the mythological center around which cosmological understanding organizes itself, here recontextualized as a portal through which landscape narratives unfold. The framing of actual or simulated tree branches through the central oculus creates a symbolic threshold between interior constructed space and exterior natural realm, invoking the archetype of the sacred grove glimpsed through temple architecture. The integration of living plant material at the base establishes a grounding in actual organic presence, suggesting that the technological and architectural elements grow from rather than replace natural systems. The teal illumination along the information walls carries associations with water, purification, and renewal, while the warm amber accents suggest solar energy and life-giving warmth. The urban model at the composition's base symbolically positions human settlement within this natural cosmology, suggesting that thoughtful planning might harmonize built and natural environments. The overall spatial narrative invites interpretation as a contemporary creation myth where architecture mediates between human aspiration and natural wisdom, proposing that designed environments might serve as vehicles for ecological consciousness and collective imagination regarding sustainable futures.
The design team uses various design elements to achieve its goals in terms of interior space. For example, high-tech lighting, audio-visual displays, and interactive exhibits can help create a futuristic and immersive atmosphere. At the same time, incorporating natural materials such as wood, stone, and water can help create a connection with the natural environment. The park-like setting is also a great way to create an immersive experience for visitors. Visitors can enjoy corporate stories and technology by following a path through the park.