While collaborating closely with Sybarite on SKP Chengdu, we identified the central juncture of four concourses within the edgy, fashion-forward south mall as the ideal site for a bespoke piece. Inspired by the architecture's futuristic 'space-station' aesthetic, we developed and amplified the idea, evolving it into a design that would act as its central 'star' – the Supernova.
Measuring a massive 8m in diameter the design centres on a glowing ‘stellar core’. Blended tones of red and orange light within a frosted and texture hemisphere evoke the sense of active nuclear fusion reactions generating huge amounts of heat.
Surrounding the core, three layers of uniquely tessellated metalwork rotate slowly, alternate layers moving clockwise and counter-clockwise. Reflective on the outer face and matt on the inside, the endlessly shifting pattern of openings creates a kaleidoscopic effect of sparkle and shadow, and the Supernova appears to float in space.