City in the Sky
Interactive Umbrella Wall
Project Overview
City in the Sky is an interactive umbrella wall installation created as a branding activation for Vanke Real Estate in a subway station environment. Measuring 7 meters in length and 2 metres in height, the installation consisted of a matrix of umbrellas capable of opening and closing in coordinated sequences. Through the binary logic of open and closed states, 0 and 1, the wall generated dynamic graphic patterns and brand symbols, transforming a familiar everyday object into a programmable visual medium. Installed in a high-traffic transit space, the umbrella wall functioned both as a large-scale kinetic sculpture and as a brand communication interface, attracting attention through movement and visual transformation.
Concept
The umbrella, an object closely associated with urban life and weather, was reinterpreted as a modular display unit. Each umbrella acted as a pixel within a physical screen. By controlling the open and closed states of each unit, the wall could shift between abstract patterns and recognisable brand imagery.
This approach combined mechanical motion with digital logic, translating binary code into spatial form and reinforcing the project’s conceptual link between city life, technology, and architecture.
Scope of Work
Our team was responsible for:
Mechanical structure development for umbrella actuation
Custom linkage system design
Centralised control system development
Motion programming and pattern sequencing
On-site installation and commissioning
Technical Implementation
To achieve stable and synchronised movement across the 7-metre-wide structure, we developed a customised mechanical system capable of controlling the opening and closing mechanism of each umbrella unit. A centralised control system coordinated timing, sequencing, and pattern transitions across the entire wall. This enabled smooth animation effects and precise graphic composition, ensuring that brand symbols appeared clearly and consistently within the large-scale kinetic matrix. Special attention was given to durability and operational stability, given the installation’s location in a busy public transit environment.
Outcome
The installation was successfully exhibited in Hangzhou and served as a striking brand activation within the subway station.
