DESIGNER

PRECEDENT
STUDY LIMINGZHE 0382438
Bachelor of Interactive Spatial
Design (Honours)
Frank Gehry
Frank was born into a Jewish family in Canada and is a
renowned contemporary architect known for his
deconstructivist style. He is famous for designing buildings
with strikingly irregular, sculptural curves. Frank also serves
as a professor at Columbia University in New York and is a
recipient of both the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the
Wolf Prize in Arts.

His architectural style stems from late modernism, and his

most iconic work is the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in
Spain, which features a titanium-clad roof and an innovative,
sculptural form.
Design style
1. Deconstructivism
2. Sculptural Architecture
3. Industrial Material Aesthetics
4. Dynamic Fluidity
Design philosophy
1. Deconstructivism:
Breaking traditional structures and geometric order to create a
fragmented, visually dynamic sense of imbalance.
2. Material Narrative:
Mixing unconventional materials like metal and wood to
highlight texture and a sense of “unfinished” rawness.
3. Emotional Resonance:
Using exaggerated forms and flowing spaces to provoke a
rethinking of architectural function.
4. Contextual Response:
Shaping forms in dialogue with the surroundings, reinforcing the
connection between architecture and its urban or natural context.
Design Concept
Guided by deconstructivist principles and inspired by the
image of a “flowing metallic fish,” the design breaks with
tradition through titanium curves and irregular geometries.

Through the interplay of light and shadow, it shapes a

landmark where architecture becomes sculpture, advancing
the vision of “architecture as a catalyst for urban
transformation.”
Guggenheim
Museum
📍Bilbao, Spain
Design Objectives
1. Revitalize the city’s economy and culture,
reshaping its image in the post-industrial era.

2. Create a groundbreaking artistic space

that fosters public interaction with art.

3. Respond to the riverside setting, serving

as a bridge between the city and nature.
 1.Promenade Plaza

2.Entrance Hall

6
3.Retail Area
1
2
7 4.Restaurant/Café
6 2 7
8 7
1 5.Tower
3
7 7
7
6.Staff Offices
4
5 7
7 9 2
7 7.Exhibition Hall

8.Terrace

Floor plan 9.Atrium

Spatial design analysis
①
1. Exhibition booths are arranged in order, making
visits easier and more organized.
This improves the flow and creates a more
professional and attractive space.

Main intersection
②
2.The design advantage of Booth is that it draws
visitors’ attention as they enter from the main

① entrance.
①
Additionally, after exploring Booth and
② returning to the atrium, visitors naturally pass by
②
Booth .
②
③ ②
③
3. The central atrium links key areas for easy
navigation and, with its glass walls and high ceiling,
acts as a striking visual focal point.
Ring road
Spatial design analysis
5 6
3
8
7 7
1 2 8
4 8

Sectional view
1.Corridor 5.Third Floor Atrium

2.Water Garden 6.Third Floor Exhibition

3.Second Floor West Exhibition 7.Second Floor East Exhibition

4.Atrium 8.Café & Restaurant

Spatial design analysis
①
①
② ③
①
Sectional view
① The curved corridor twists into the atrium and extends upward, creating a
floating effect with full exhibition views.

② The open corridor beside the atrium uses a sunken courtyard to create the
illusion of floating on water.

③ The café and restaurant, set on split levels by the atrium, reduce noise and offer
water views through large windows.
Design form
The building’s exterior is composed of 33 titanium-
clad curved volumes of varying sizes, connected by
sharp angles (some as narrow as 30°) or sweeping
arcs. The result is an irregular shape resembling
“metal petals in bloom.” On the north side, the largest
curved volume cantilevers 12 meters over the river,
creating an open “urban living room” that breaks away
from traditional enclosed architecture.
Design structure

Characterized by dynamic, flowing curves

and irregular geometries, the building
breaks traditional symmetry, creating a
sculptural and deconstructivist landmark.
Design structure
1. Point: From a “central focus” to “scattered points in
Based on function, there is a basic
motion” main volume with a clear center
and contrast between solid and
2. Line: From a “stable boundary” to a “conflicting curve” empty parts.

3. Surface: From a “whole skin” to “broken and

reassembled” The main volume is cut horizontally.
The height changes weaken the
sense of center and adjust the solid-
empty ratio, further softening the
building’s central focus.

By controlling the shape and edges of the volumes, the Each volume is then rotated in a
form of the building is transformed. similar way.
Design materials Exterior

The museum’s galvanized steel

frame is wrapped in limestone
and glass on the outside.
Titanium panels were chosen
for their ability to reflect natural
light, allowing the museum’s
surface to display shifting
colors under different weather
and lighting conditions.
Design materials Interior

Steel White walls Glass Tiles

Structural Purity and Flexibility Light Interaction Warm tones and rough
Innovation and in Art Display and Spatial textures balance the
Continuity of Transparency coolness of metal and
Industrial Memory glass, creating a calm
and welcoming
atmosphere
Lighting Design

skylight

Natural light is layered into the exhibition

halls through a system of square skylights
and light wells across the three-tiered roof.
Lighting Design
Analysis:
The three-level skylight system channels light
Skylight through vertical light wells into the galleries,
effectively addressing the issue of
insufficient lighting in non-top-level spaces.
This design avoids direct sunlight that could
Lightwell damage artworks, while diffuse reflection
creates a soft lighting environment, ensuring
even illumination for the exhibits.
Lighting Design

The gallery uses a flexible modular

lighting system, combining track
lights, recessed spotlights, and
hidden light strips. This setup allows
for adjustable light intensity and
angles based on exhibit types,
effectively highlighting the details of
each piece.
Texture Design Limestone vs. Titanium:
Limestone’s roughness softens
titanium’s coldness, creating material
balance.

Glass vs. Metal:

Glass adds transparency, while
titanium reflects light. Together, they
blur indoor-outdoor boundaries and
create layered light effects.

Purity of White Walls vs. Industrial Steel:

Smooth white walls in the gallery
contrast with exposed steel beams and
bridges, creating a dialogue between
purity and raw industrial aesthetics.
Construction Technology
1. Strong foundation: 665 deep piles were used to
support the soft riverbank soil and keep the
building stable.

2. Steel structure: A custom steel frame was built

to support the building’s complex curved shapes.

3. Digital modeling: CATIA software helped create

3D models to guide the building process with high
accuracy.

4. Exterior materials: The building used titanium

panels, limestone, and glass to create a shiny,
changing surface.

5. Advanced building methods: High places and

hard shapes were built using lifts, cranes, and
skilled workers.
Visitor Experience
Reflection
Through the analysis of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, I have learned:

1. Regarding facade design:

The use of flowing curves, radial layouts, and asymmetrical forms gives the building a sense of
"vitality".

2. Regarding spatial design:

Using booths near the entrance to catch attention, and planning the layout based on the visitor
path, helps guide people more effectively.
The circulation route is designed in a spiraling ascending manner.

3. Regarding material application:

Material selection should emphasize contrasting textures to create meaningful symbolic
combinations.

4. Regarding lighting design:

Natural light is ingeniously incorporated - used to protect exhibits in gallery spaces, while public
areas combine strong artificial lighting with natural light to create visual impact.
Summary
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao stands as a bold
testament that architecture is never just a pile of steel
and concrete, but a magic that weaves dreams through
form and engages time and space through materials.
When the titanium panels ripple under the sunlight,
when the spiral ramp guides the gaze through layers of
solid and void, when art and the river quietly merge
behind the glass curtain wall—we witness not just the
birth of a building, but the courage of design to break
through mediocrity and redefine the relationship
between people and the city.
References
https://www.archdaily.com/422470/ad-classics-the-guggenheim-museum-bilbao-frank-gehry
https://www.archiposition.com/items/e6be019736 http://xhslink.com/a/ueeULqJkU4vbb
https://art.icity.ly/entries/6k087qw https://www.archiposition.com/items/20190719040002

http://xhslink.com/a/69VrHno8r5vbb https://www.treemode.com/case/3408
https://www.guggenheim.org/audio/track/gmb-scale-zho https://zh.m.wikipedia.org/zh-
my/%E6%AF%95%E5%B0%94%E5%B7%B4%E9%84%82%E5%8F%A4%E6%A0%B9%E6%B5%B7%E5%A7%86%E7
%BE%8E%E6%9C%AF%E9%A6%86

https://www.dezeen.com/2022/05/18/frank-gehry-guggenheim-museum-bilbao-deconstructivism/
https://www.namoc.org/zgmsg/qknrlj/201303/024ad71711bb42de97e13820e8a5dde6.shtml
https://zh.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/global-contemporary-apah/20th-century-
apah/a/gehry-bilbao
INTERACTIVE
SPACE PRECEDENT
STUDY LIMINGZHE 0382438
Bachelor of Interactive Spatial
Design (Honours)
Infinite Crystal
Universe
Infinite Crystal Universe is an immersive
interactive light installation created by
Japanese digital art team teamLab in 2018. It is
permanently exhibited at teamLab Planets
TOKYO in Tokyo. The artwork uses tens of
thousands of LED lights and mirrored surfaces
to create a 3D grid of light points, forming a
space that feels like an endlessly expanding
universe.
Technology
• LED Light System:
The installation uses about 170,000
LED lights, hanging in the air to create
a 3D space made of light points.

• Sensor Interaction:
Sensors track where people are and
how they move, and the lights change
based on their actions.

• Phone App Control: Visitors can use

a mobile app to choose stars and send
them into the space, becoming part of
the artwork.
 Materials
• Mirror Surfaces: The floor, walls, and
ceiling are all covered with mirrors, making
the space look like it goes on forever.

• LED Strands: Tightly packed LED light

strands hang from above, creating a
moving pattern of light points in the space.
Design Principles
1. Mirror
• Mirror surfaces on the floor, walls, and ceiling create the
feeling of endless space.
• Visitors see their own reflection, making them feel like they
are part of the artwork.

2. Shape
• The LED lights are placed in a 3D grid, forming shapes like
stars and lines of light.
• Visitors use a phone app to choose and send star shapes
into the space.

3. Contrast
• Bright lights shine in a dark space, making the light
patterns stand out more.
• The lights change color and brightness when people move,
creating dynamic contrast.

4. Symmetry
• The lights are arranged in a neat, grid-like pattern, making
the space look balanced and tidy.
• With mirrors, the symmetry looks even bigger, creating a
sense of infinite order.
Design elements
• Point:
Each light is a glowing point, like a star, spread
celling【Plane】
across the space.

]enalP[llaW
• Line:

Lines[Light Strands]
The light strands hang down from the ceiling,
creating lines of light from top to bottom. This
gives a sense of height and direction.

• Plane:
The mirrors on the floor, walls, and ceiling
reflect the lights and lines, creating a
continuous light surface and a feeling of

Floor[Plane]
endless space.
Visitor/User
Experience
1. Immersive Experience
When people enter the artwork, they feel
like they are inside a never-ending
universe, surrounded by lights like stars.
As they move, the lights change, making
them feel more involved and part of the
space.
2. Interactive Participation
Using a phone app, people can choose and
send stars into the artwork. These stars
change the lights, so each person helps
create the work.
3. Multi-Sensory Experience
Besides what people see and feel, there is
also background music. This makes the
experience stronger and more complete.
Critical Analysis＜（＾－＾）＞
1. High Immersion: Mirror and light create an endless space, making
the experience feel immersive.

2. Strong Interactivity: The audience’s actions directly change the

artwork, breaking the traditional viewing.

3. Tech and Art Blend: Combining technology with art creates a

unique look.
Critical Analysis （~_~）
1. Space Guidance:
The endless space may make
people feel lost. Adding guides
could help.

2. Variety:
Long experiences may lose
freshness. Add more variety to
improve it.

3. Accessibility:
Add accessibility features to let
everyone participate equally.
Reflection
This experience helped me understand that immersion, interaction,
and multi-sensory experiences are important to move the audience.
Art is not just something to look at — it should be felt and
experienced.

In my future designs, I hope to include more interactive elements

and sensory experiences. By using space, light, and sound, I want to
create works that are more emotional and memorable
Reference
http://app.why.com.cn/epaper/shzk/html/2015-
09/08/content_267526.htm?div=0
https://www.artforum.com.cn/print/201307/5424?slug=
https://youtu.be/EkvazIZx-F0?si=3i5sUI2JhNhAvm2R
https://www.artlab.org.cn/trendsdetail/b7107fc5-a2fb-1339-8913-
9a54a1af6180 https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/20191060
https://www.ida-a.org/sjl_sj.php?id=4971&b=3
https://www.ifanr.com/557634
https://www.visitsharjah.com/zh/activities/arts/rain-room/
https://youtu.be/FslABAyj2OA?si=Iz5qfzT3__FfaERJ
THANK YOU
LIMINGZHE 0382438
Bachelor of Interactive Spatial
Design (Honours)