commanding, convivial and named after the greek goddess of the night, ‘nyx’ is a rooftop bar in central shanghai designed by local studio alberto caiola. inspired by classical architectural ruins and wrapped in UV reactive cords, it provides spectacular city views. a monumental frame for the futuristic metropolis’ backdrop of glowing neon and luminous highways, the installation offers an alternative, surreal experience in shanghai, china’s foremost city of lights. maintaining a continuous dialogue with its contemporary context, nyx echoes a distant past while projecting towards an abstract future, blending tropes of cultures and identities.

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

 

the resulting installation sets a new phygital aesthetic, creating a surreal space-time experience in which visitors can momentarily lose themselves. a progressive take on the classical colonnade, it combines both the structure’s physical form, as well as social function. in cities spanning europe and the middle east, and in particular, italy, the sheer scale of these grandiose complexes of arches and columns inspire intimacy, while their openness creates a comfortable space for groups to gather and convene. in a city as dense and populous as shanghai, these were precisely the qualities that made a modern interpretation of an ancient colonnade so fitting for a bar destination.

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

 

the structure is wrapped in more than 21,000 meters of UV reactive cord. black lights activate a glow similar to that of shanghai’s highways come nightfall – a steady, luminous blue. at the same time, the cords wrapped around the installation’s frame, offer an abstract take on familiar tangles of cable and wire, visible throughout the city both overhead and on buildings. punctuating the structure’s blue glow are periodic dashes of red. luminous taps for the bar’s range of over 20 craft beers selection, they immediately draw attention to the venue’s primary product.

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

 

a literally hand-woven architecture of light, and a temple to shanghai rituals present and future, nyx presents the city’s night owls with an openness that at once draws groups close, and affords spaciousness in an otherwise close-knit city. projecting a distant past, flanked by futuristic skyscrapers, nyx presents an alternate perspective to shanghai’s relentless modernity.

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

hacking visual perception: alberto caiola traces classical archetypes with neon lights in shanghai

 

project info:

 

designer: alberto caiola

location: shanghai, china

 

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: maria erman | designboom