Changi Airport has partnered with Preciosa Lighting to create a lighting installation for a newly refurbished area at Terminal 1 Departure/ Transit Hall.
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 and capturing the never-ending transformation process of a garden. 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,” she explains. “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 10 metres long and nine metres wide. It incporates 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,” says OndÅej 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.
Preciosa Lighting elevates the heritage of Bohemian crystal through contemporary lighting designs. The company is built on centuries of tradition and the unique art of master glass makers from Crystal Valley. It honours this heritage and craftsmanship by creating innovative lighting products that stand the test of time.
