Silver Event and Happening Design · 2021
The Multiverse Introductory Passageway
by Hong Kong Trade Development Council
- A' Design Award 2021 Silver Winner in Event and Happening Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Hong Kong Trade Development Council
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 51,844
- Verification code EAC5656946 · Verify this award
About The Multiverse Introductory Passageway
The Multiverse is an introductory passageway designed for a watch and clock fair hall in Hong Kong. The passageway covers 745 square metres and guides visitors towards the branded watch booths. A mirrored rotunda entry marks the concourse. Inside, a 5 metre high transparent LED waterfall with a mirrored overhang stands at the centre. Themed portals lead to four zones and a lounge. The walls are built with reusable aluminium frames clad in vinyl graphics and mirrored panels. The abstract concept reflects the creative focus of an imaginary artisan watchmaker.
The Multiverse Introductory Passageway by Hong Kong Trade Development Council exemplifies the sophisticated intersection of architectural design, installation art, and experiential placemaking that has come to define contemporary exhibition environments seeking to transport visitors beyond ordinary spatial experience. Working within traditions established by Light and Space artists and contemporary immersive designers, this threshold installation employs a carefully orchestrated vocabulary of reflective surfaces, chromatic illumination, and geometric precision to create a liminal zone that prepares visitors psychologically and sensorially for the experiential territories that lie beyond. The central sculptural grouping of polished chrome spheres functions simultaneously as focal point, navigational landmark, and symbolic portal, their mirror-like surfaces capturing and redistributing the surrounding environment in perpetually shifting panoramic reflections that suggest the infinite multiplicities promised by the multiverse concept. The deliberate contrast between the technological perfection of the spheres and the rough geological authenticity of their stone pedestals introduces a productive tension between the natural and the fabricated, the ancient and the contemporary, grounding futuristic aspiration in earthly materiality. The concentric floor pattern, executed in graduating tones from magenta periphery through taupe intermediary zones to the silver-gray central medallion, creates a powerful centripetal pull that guides visitor movement while establishing ritual significance through its mandala-like geometry. Flanking mirror walls multiply this central installation into infinite regression, dissolving architectural boundaries and evoking the dimensional proliferation central to multiverse conceptualization. The blue-violet LED illumination bathes the entire space in otherworldly luminescence suggestive of technological possibility and imaginative transport, while maintaining sufficient warmth through the magenta floor zones to ensure psychological comfort and welcome. How might the experience of crossing this threshold, surrounded by infinite reflections of oneself approaching the gleaming spheres, prepare consciousness for encounters with the multiplicities of possible futures that exhibition spaces increasingly invite us to imagine?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Salon de TE was the only hall at the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair to be opened to the media and public with a purpose to showcase international watch brands. The fair organiser required an introductory passageway design to evoke feelings of new discovery to participants before they journeyed to the explore various booths. An abstract concept titled The Multiverse was created to reflect an imaginary artisan watchmaker’s subconsciousness during their moments of creative focus.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The walls were built with reusable aluminum frames cladded with vinyl graphics and mirrored panels on plywood backing. The concourse entry was a 3m high facade rotunda shape area of 64m2, with a metal spherical sculpture. Inside the 5m high x 750m2 introductory passage various openings with themed installations were created. A 5m high LED waterfall with 12m long mirrored overhang, along with two 8.5m wide x 2.5m high LED screens, and a 40m2 stage were also featured in the main carpeted space.
- Tags
- Introductory Passageway, Hong Kong, Watch, Brands, Installation, The Multiverse, Exhibition, HKTDC, Organiser, Fair
- Production Technology
- The walled structures were made with lightweight reusable aluminium systems, covered with stretched vinyl graphics. Special interactive audio and visual equipment such as the LED screens, furniture and props were hired for the project. Biodegradable carpets, bespoke mechanical device for the sand machine, acoustic panels and metallic spherical balloon sculptures were added to complete the design.
- Design Challenge
- The challenge was to find a concept the event organiser had not done before and finding a theme to stimulate the imagination of visitors with a sense of new discovery. After analysing many external themes, executing the inner universe of an artisan watchmaker mind seemed most fitting. This was how The Multiverse idea began, and a series of visceral ambient installations were developed. Our aim was to let the visitor draw to their own interpretation of what they had experienced in the space.
- Project Duration
- The project duration was 3 months from initial briefing to onsite completion. It was launched on the 5th of September 2019 and ran for 5 days. Only 3 days were allowed for the move in and onsite set up. Salon de TE was located at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.
- Operation Flow
- To arouse visitor curiosity, a 3m high x 64m2 mirrored rotunda entry was built at the concourse. Entering the hall, a 745m2 introductory passageway with a 5m high transparent LED waterfall with a mirror overhang is set at the centre of this space. Behind the LED waterfall, an open multi-functional space with a main stage would feature. Various portals each decorated with its own distinct ambience would lead visitors to the 4 different zones and the VIP lounge within this specialised hall.
- Research
- Our research derived from the design brief to evoke feelings of new discovery to stimulate its visitors at the introductory passageway. The design team decided to make this more challenging by exploring the subconscious journey of an artisan watchmaker mind. From this, a series of abstract spatial installations was built using visuals and sounds to reflect the serenity, inspiration and inner focused needed to make a master timepiece. Thus, our concept The Multiverse began.
- Inspiration
- Inspiration to uplift the image of the introductory passageway design derived from the clients requirement to evoke feelings of new discovery upon its visitors. An abstract approach titled The Multiverse was developed and a series of audio and visual installations was created to reflect the intangible aspects and creative process of an artisan watchmaker mind. Each spatial experience was intended to depict the emotional response before visitors embarked to explore the branded watch booths.
- Image Credits
- Hong Kong Trade Development Council
- Patents
- Copyrights belong to Hong Kong Trade Development Council, 2019
Colors of The Multiverse Introductory Passageway
Get The Multiverse Introductory Passageway
International Trade Exhibition and Business Development Services
We organize world-class trade exhibitions, conferences and business missions connecting companies with global opportunities. With 50 offices worldwide, we create immersive exhibition experiences and provide market insights to help businesses, especially SMEs, expand into mainland China and…
G0E1 Shop