River Cloud

The River Cloud real estate project is inspired by the aesthetic value and symbolic significance of clouds in Eastern cultures. To create a visceral spatial concept that clearly embodies the fundamental themes of the project, the designer crafts a cloud form through the interaction of cloud, water, and smoke in the surroundings. When illuminated at night, the 8-metre-high and 30-metre-wide installation atop the riverbank mountain transforms into a spectacular landmark changing that immediately draws attention to the building project. Borrowing from a Chinese painting technique that “takes advantage of the situation”, the designer places a shallow pool and a smoke device in the middle of the cloud installation. While the interaction of cloud, water, and smoke works to create a quiet and ethereal space, approximately 15,000 digitally-controlled light sources installed on the device create luminous cloud forms with flowing light waves that come to life in the night. More than 50,000 polygonal metal frames of various sizes are linked together to create the organic curves of the cloud forms. The installation additionally functions as an observation platform, with views of the river at its base and the mountains in the distance visible through gaps in the clouds. A stainless steel metal frame is used to ensure long-term outdoor use. Finally, the installation is outfitted with CNC lamps, which allow the brightness and colours of the light source to be controlled and varied in order to create rich and crystal clear night effects. Red Dot Award: Design Concept | Ready to Launch | Public Space