LAAB develops parametric kaleidome for hong kong youth arts foundation

LAAB develops parametric kaleidome for hong kong youth arts foundation
all images courtesy of LAAB

‘kaleidome’ is a mirrored stainless-steel structure composed of 262 individual polyhedral cells. each reflective unit functions as a small window that frames the environment both inside and out. like a kaleidoscope, it shuffles images of the river, trees, buildings, passersby, flowers, and etc. created by LAAB, ‘kaleidome’ is a public art installation for the jockey club community arts biennale 2015 — organized by hong kong youth arts foundation.

dome interior

looking at the oculus, spectators are free to discover the network of veins composed of ultra-thin profiles that visually juxtapose everything within site. their curvilinear forms also produces a strange visual effect, caused by the rapid change between opaqueness and transparency. the dome is painted in various shades of red in blue very thinly applied. doing so preserves the reflectiveness of the original finish.

visitor to the installation 

‘kaleidome’ was designed with advanced computer programming and digital fabrication techniques. in total, the 262 cells are made of laser-cut variations of 22 unique shapes. after cutting, each was folded to correspond with a particular unit in LAAB’s parametric computer model. using such a method allows for a maximized volume with as minimal material consumption as possible; solving problems such as limited height, small area, and tight budget as laid out in the brief. ‘kaleidome’ is on exhibit at shatin park, hong kong. 

with various compositions of color-tinted reflections, ‘kaleidome’ transforms the empty plaza

the structure is thinly painted in shades of blue and red  

looking up from within 

the cells change between transparent and opaque 

the volume is maximized and consumes as few materials as possible

a visitor hangs out at ‘kaleidome’ 

 
various polyhedral shell shapes 

each section was laser-cut and folded according to a parametric computer model

paint scheme diagram 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom