parallel lab installs mobile M+: yau ma tei hub in hong kong

parallel lab installs mobile M+: yau ma tei hub in hong kong
images © ka-ho pang
all images courtesy of parallel lab

prior to the construction of the official ‘M+ museum’ building located on west kowloon cultural district and designed by herzog & de meuron, the curatorial team proposed a series of nomadic exhibitions that took place in different areas of hong kong. ‘mobile M+: yau ma tei’ by local studio parallel lab and a team of architecture students from the chinese university of hong kong was the first installation to be completed. the project had a specific emphasis on mobility and the grassroots culture of the site’s old district.

the structure was set up in a typical hong kong shop location

the temporary, 34sqm ‘info hub’ was built using 400 crates from watson water and set up in the ground floor of a typical hong kong shop house. formed into a giant piece of furniture, it functioned as an information desk, reading and resting area, book display and storage space, as well as hosting other activities and events. after one month all crates returned to their original role of portable containers for water bottles delivery. the project was the starting point for seven further urban interventions that were realized by hong kong artists.

the installation was built using crates and used for multiple activities

the crates illuminated at night

the units were set back from the wall to create shadows and a dynamic atmosphere

M+ executive director dr. lars nittve discussing the project

looking onto the grass carpet used to cover the recycled pieces

view of the shadow projected off the pieces

400 crates were used for the installation by parallel lab

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.