Curly Cube is a modular public art installation that transforms public spaces into vibrant hubs for social interaction and engagement.
Set in a park along Shanghai’s Huangpu River, the installation features a seamless, curvilinear form crafted from tensile membranes stretched over lightweight 2-meter square frames. Inspired by the Gyroid minimal surface, the design combines visual fluidity with material efficiency, creating a striking and sustainable structure.

By day, Curly Cube provides shaded spaces for relaxation. At night, it transforms into a glowing light sculpture, with strategically positioned lights projecting vivid colors onto the silver membranes. The dynamic, shifting hues evolve with the viewer’s perspective, offering an immersive and captivating visual experience.
The modular membrane units are designed for flexible use, helping reimagine how spaces can be used and occupied. They can serve as partitions, seating, or even trampolines, encouraging playful and imaginative interactions that foster a sense of discovery, connection, and engagement.

Highly adaptable, Curly Cube can be stacked vertically, reconfigured, or transported with ease, making it versatile for various venues and purposes. Its modularity underscores its potential as a scalable and sustainable solution for urban design.
Beyond its visual appeal, Curly Cube enhances the urban landscape by promoting exploration, interaction, and community connection. It revitalizes public spaces along the river, adding vibrancy and fostering a sense of cohesion in city life.

 Team:
Client: West Bund/Serge Ferrari
Principals: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng
Design Team: Guo Mingran, Zhang Meng, Yao Ruojin
Structural Consultant: Liu Su / Beijing Shouan Architectural Structure Studio
Lighting Design Team: Pang Lei
Construction Team: Shanghai Xuben Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.
Textile Façades: Frontside View 381 by Serge Ferrari 
Material: PVC

Photographers: PAO, Zhu Yumeng, Yang Zuoxun