In the northwest corner of West Park at Longfor Puti peninsula, Yantai, China, stands a mesmerizing coral-inspired installation by XBTW Office titled “Among the Corals.” This striking project, composed of twelve oversized white stainless-steel cylinders, turns the seaside into a fantastical swing experience. The structure offers a new way to engage with the natural rhythms of tides, sea breezes, and sunsets. Each piece is arranged into two groups, framed by a thin horizontal roof plane, with two inviting swings that face the west. Visitors can immerse themselves in this reimagined coral colony, feeling the ebb and flow of the landscape.
Experience the Play of Light and the Seaside Design
Approaching from a distance, the installation’s white forms emerge along the coastline, resembling larger-than-life marine organisms. The arrangement allows for breaks in these forms, offering glimpses of the sea and sky that create a constantly evolving scenery. This unique design shifts the observer’s relationship with familiar coastal surroundings, allowing them to enter a realm that feels like an underwater world. The cylinders feature approximately 2,000 to 4,000 perforations per unit, varying in size and inspired by deep-sea fish schools. Larger perforations depict marine life such as starfish and octopuses, adding intricate detail. After sunset, light streaming through these openings animates the still forms with warmth and character.
Immersive Design and Execution of the Installation
The artwork, a brainchild of the creative practice of XBTW Office, situates itself prominently on Yantai’s open coastline. Each stainless-steel cylinder is thoughtfully positioned to ensure overlap and shifting at various heights and orientations, enhancing the dynamic spatial experience. The modular construction invites visitors to explore, pause, and reflect within its crafted spaces, engaging closely with the coastal landscape. The perforated surfaces reference the fluidity of the sea, while the thoughtfully designed swings offer a tranquil experience of the natural elements.
Explore how architects use vibrant designs in public spaces through Playful Red Tubes Transform Vienna’s Streets, showcasing interactive urban art.
The forms not only heighten the aesthetic of the site but also redefine how visitors interact with the environment, encouraging moments of pause and contemplation within the sculpture.
This innovative design brings the world of corals above sea level, inviting visitors into a space that is both artful and engaging. As night falls, the illuminated perforations give the white forms a mesmerizing transformation, appearing like softly glowing creatures breathing along the coast.
Magnified by the reflections of the setting sun and the shimmering sea, “Among the Corals” is an installation that breathes life into the coastline. The project, designed by lead designers Boxia Wang and Teng Xing, involves contributions from Longfor Group Shandong, and the engineering work of Shanghai Leqiu Playground Equipment Co., Ltd., with construction by Liaoning Lumei Yanyuan Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.
For those intrigued by art inspired by marine life, discover Jason DeCaires Talyor’s underwater forest in Cyprus for a captivating oceanic experience.
Documented by photographer Zhu Yumeng, known for @yumeng_zhu_coppakstudio, this outdoor artwork invites you to stretch the imaginative envelope and engage with marine-inspired architecture on a new and thrilling level.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the Among the Corals installation?
Among the Corals is a coral-inspired installation by XBTW Office located in West Park at Longfor Puti peninsula, Yantai, China. It is composed of twelve oversized white stainless-steel cylinders that create a fantastical swing experience by the seaside.
What inspired the design of the cylinders?
The cylinders are inspired by marine organisms and deep-sea fish schools. They feature perforations depicting marine life such as starfish and octopuses, adding intricate detail to the design.
Who were the lead designers of the project?
The project was designed by lead designers Boxia Wang and Teng Xing.