Embracing the spirit of the Spring Festival, our Hong Kong Studio accepted a computational design challenge presented by Giulia Pustorino and Alexandre Hersant. The goal? To demonstrate the exciting possibilities of computational design.

Under the guidance of Senior Design Principal, Leonard Milford, Principal, Javier Perea, and Associate, Anthony Stott, our junior designers really showed what computational design can do – making design processes more efficient and driving creative solutions.

Each of the three Chinese lantern concepts were designed and built within a fixed time frame and budget, encompassing material selection, component testing, and fabrication. The lanterns showcased how computational design, using algorithms, simulations, and data analysis, can bring a fresh twist to the age-old tradition of lantern-making.

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LANTERN STUDIO ONE
Jason Gu and Fangyi Yin
 

The design concept is inspired by three key elements: showcasing the 10 Design brand, celebrating the year of the Snake, and reflecting the multicultural essence of our studios. Building on these themes, the design utilises a computational approach to generate a dynamic snake form. 

Designed to be viewed differently from all angles adds a sense of dynamism, it’s only when viewed from the front that the structure forms a 10. We incorporated a staggered approach to the unit design, with wishes suspended in the centre of each unit to add an additional layer of interactivity and exploration. We wanted the design to break away from a traditional installation, allowing everyone to participate as part of our Chinese New Year celebration!

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LANTERN STUDIO TWO
Haochun Zeng and Gin-Joen Yau

Inspired by the floating lanterns released in celebration of the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, we envisioned an ever-evolving light sculpture, symbolic of the release of a thousand lanterns. A gesture of hope, unity, and renewal, our lantern is the embodiment of an age-old tradition synonymous with the beginning of a new year. Utilising Conway's Game of Life—a cellular automation that operates on a grid of cells, evolving through simple rules based on the number of active or dormant neighbours—we simulated intricate patterns and behaviours over time. This generative scripting is user defined and adaptable, facilitating any number of variables and constraints as an expression of true creativity. 

The lantern also serves as a reference to the riddle traditions of dynasties past, where the computationally derived illumination is representative of a riddle solved. The materiality and manufacturing methods of cross modulation are inspired by the orthogonal nature of our studio’s projects, whilst the modular construction is both scalable and easy to reconfigure. This enables a user-defined lighting strategy that is dynamic, adaptable and truly adjustable; deeply rooted in the culturally inspired traditions of Chinese New Year and emblematic of the changing night sky.

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LANTERN STUDIO THREE
Anthony Stott and Howie Li

This modular 3D-printed lantern reimagines traditional Chinese lanterns through parametric design and interactive storytelling. The structure consists of 3D printed interlocking perforated cylindrical modules that diffuse light illuminating from inside the cylinders. Staff added a personal touch to the installation by painting Chinese New Year calligraphy, which folds into lampshades and insert into the lantern. This adds a participatory element transforming the lantern into a living artwork, symbolising unity, innovation, and the collective spirit of the Chinese New Year celebration.