Catalog

Recycled Glass Igloo & Bottle Caps Aurora 再生．玻璃冰屋．鋁蓋極光

2021

TKO Plaza, Hong Kong

Project Description:

We focus on glass, particularly the second life of glass after it has fulfilled its purpose as beverage bottles, containers or shopfront windows, as we recycle it into a whole new type of building material. Through previous research and experimentation, we have found that glass can be recycled and molten back into primitive granules, which then can be mixed with resin and made into recycled glass bricks that are semi-transparent and fairly durable. For Detour 2020, we have created an art installation in a spiraling form built by over 100 of recycled glass bricks and encourage visitors to enjoy time of “self” – alone, “few” – together and “many” – gathering. Igloo and Aurora has long been two of the most spectacular wonders of nature in the arctic region. For Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022, our team have brought Hong Kong people a surreal and immersive experience of Igloo and Aurora at TKO Plaza, Hong Kong with a sustainable undertone.

Description how the project contributes with humanity:

Recycled Glass Brick Spiral

We used 500 nos. recycled glass bricks to create an installation that takes people on a journey through different types of social distances. It consists of urban spaces of varying scales, all contained in a spiral structure built with recycled glass bricks. Moreover, the semi-transparency and perforations between the stacked brickwork induce varied experiences and perspectives, as opposed to our regular urban spaces that are often impermeable.

Recycled Glass Igloo

Glass recycling has been largely inefficient in Hong Kong – only 10% of all waste glass bottles were recycled, with the rest (over 200 tonnes) sent to landfills every day. For Igloo Dome, we have turned over 2,500 nos. of used glass bottles into over 1,000 nos. of colourful and cheerful recycled glass bricks with a stunning lighting effect. Visitors are encouraged to meander through the art installation and interact with the translucent and illuminated Igloo.

Recycled Bottle Caps Aurora

Our sustainable concept continues with the ceiling piece – Aurora, where over 10,000 nos. of glass bottle caps in various colours are used to create a surreal Aurora experience. Like Aurora itself, the ceiling piece requires one to explore and discover. As one moves around the atrium, the Aurora oscillates between visibility and invisibility, thus heightening one’s sense of exploration.