atelier INDJ cascades light wall controlled by xbox kinect in shanghai

atelier INDJ cascades light wall controlled by xbox kinect in shanghai
all images courtesy of atelier INDJ

atelier INDJ is a creative studio that specializes in architectural, spatial, product, and furniture design at a range of scales. with knowledge of these disciplines in their repertoire, the collective has envisioned the interior of ‘G9 shanghai’, a project that exists beyond its primary purpose of dining and delves into a realm of exhibition, spectacle, and participation. from the beginning of the process, ian douglas-jones of INDJ led the project’s ambitions – ‘the unusually proportioned space just had to be exploited and celebrated, early on I had persuaded the client that this presented an opportunity to create something that subverts preconceptions.’ 

materials of natural concrete, raw steel, dark marble, black glass, gold chrome, and bright fixtures represent a culmination of ideas where technology, industry, luxury, and excess collide. these programs are decorated by bespoke furniture from the architects that provide a sense of visual continuity. a 22-meter long brass table bisects the room, acting as both banquette table and runway that dictates a simple spatial arrangement. balanced upon a lateral beam, a VIP dining platform sits high above the zone to serve as a symbolic elevation of status, an exclusive position of grandeur from which to survey the rest of the interior.

over 9.2 km of cable was used for the installation

these notions of extravagance reach their pinnacle with a 12-meter high wall that cascades through the space terminating in a major site specific piece by british artist INSA. following his trademark ‘graffiti fetish’ – an exploration of the iconography of modern aspirations – the mesmerizing pattern merges with the 956 bulbs of the light installation. visitors of the hierarchically distinguished seating area are invited to engage the work through the 3D depth sensing capabilities of an xbox kinect camera that empowers them to control its speed and brightness with simple hand gestures. the collaboration marks an evolution of INSA’s pioneering work with the GIF medium; whereby multiple frames are painstakingly painted photographed and animated digitally. ‘G9 shanghai’ is a reversal of this process whereby the digital computation is manifested physically in the 67m² art work.

the long brass topped banquette table doubles as a runway for fashion shows hosted by lane crawford

black marble, black glass, blackened steel, offset by brass, and gold chrome

a steel spiral staircase leads up to the private dining platform 

the interior features bespoke art work by atelier INDJ as well as INSA

the private dining tables have views over the rest of the interior

lower floor plan 

private dining platform plan

longitudinal section 

cross section

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.