deve build architecture layers woven fiberglass labyrinth in shenzhen

within the dense, modern metropolis of shenzhen, local architecture practice deve build have installed an artistic space to retreat from the hectic hurry of everyday life. ‘the fading past’, first published by designboom china, has been realized within a residential courtyard area, offering a place for visitors and passersby to naturally meander through. long sheets of fiberglass netting are suspended on tall metal frames, forming a labyrinth of corridors and paths to wander between. appearing like a dense fog, one that often hovers above chinese cityscapes, the installation immerses pedestrians in a maze of woven mesh material that both reveals and conceals the surrounding landscape. the sheets of semi-opaque material are orgznied to create an effect that uncovers small traditional objects placed within random apertures, reminding viewers of the sometimes overlooked simplicities of daily life. 

‘traffic jams, strange neighbors, fragile colleagues, food additives, thick haze and people wearing respirators in the fog disappear into the city skyline,’ the architects consider. ‘all of these prevent us from remembering our precious memories, let alone even thinking of them. life is a transient, impermanent and obvious journey…so is our fading past.’

the organization of the sheets form corridors for visitors to meander through 
all images courtesy of deve build architecture

metal frames hold long fiberglass sheets that are layered to create an opaque effect

the nets hide small traditional objects placed throughout the installation

visitors are immersed in a labyrinth of material around them 

opacity changes as the layers of fiberglass are both seen and masked 

the sheets are tethered to wooden surfaces containing small rocks and pebbles 

the installation intends to remind viewers of the sometimes overlooked simplicities of daily life

lights illuminate the installation by night, glowing a green hue cast from the floor 

a side view shows the layers of fiberglass netting arranged beside each other

via [designboom china]