Crystal Valley, Czech Republic & Singapore – Changi Airport, known for its entertainment options to amuse waiting travellers and their collection of innovative design and floral installations, partnered with Preciosa Lighting to create a lighting installation for a newly refurbished area at Terminal 1 Departure/ Transit Hall.
Sculptural light garden
The Preciosa team knew the installation had to be something outstanding. The lighting should have a strong narrative, rooted in the tropical garden theme characteristic of the airport interiors and all of Singapore. Garden Metamorphosis is a sculpture which blends in unique compositions, exploring the shapes and patterns of nature. It captures every moment of a garden’s never-ending transformation. The installation is organic and fluid, featuring abstract shapes to trigger visitors’ fantasies. Preciosa Lighting designer Anna Kralova was the lead designer on the project.
“This is the transformation that nature naturally undergoes,” said Ms. Kralova. “Here, these leaves turn into butterflies which visually blend with the leaves. Just like in nature – when a butterfly sits on a flower or a leaf, it completely merges with it.”
A bright touch of light
The installation is more than ten metres long and 9 metres wide. There are more than 650 hand blown crystal components including small and big butterflies and small and big single and double leaves. Each component is an original and handcrafted at the Preciosa factory in the Czech Republic. The metal base is champagne and polished brass for a warm feel. Component colours include clear crystal, frosted crystal, champagne, light pink, pink, and light and dark lustre.
Structurally stable yet light and airy
Preciosa Lighting’s in-house R&D team had two challenges to tackle for this project. First was the programmable dynamic scenes, and the second was the project’s location. “We wanted to figure out the best way to move and light the butterflies,” said Ondřej Dörfl, Senior Electrical Design Engineer. “The idea is that for a while, butterflies fly above the light fixture, then they settle (shine) and show us their crystal beauty. The next moment, they gradually light up and after a while they gradually and slowly go out again. I believe in the end we managed to give the lighting its soul.”
To ensure the installation was structurally stable, the team figured out the best way to attach the crystal leaves to the metal branches, without comprising the look of the design.
The architecture and interior design was led by RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, Singapore. Preciosa Lighting worked with the main contractor, Takenaka Corporation, Singapore.
