AI Plaza Mirror-Finish Illuminated Signage

Project:

AI PLAZA

Client:

Shanghai West Bund Group

Industry:

Commercial Complex

Location:

Shanghai,China

Completion Year:

2022

Project Overview

Scope:

External Construction Channel Letter;  Advertisement Lightbox;  Internal & External Signage System

Role:

System Engineering & Detailed Design · Manufacturing · Installation

Material:

Mirror Polished 304 Stainless Steel; Chameleon Paint; Corten Steel Material

Project Scale:

AI PLAZA is the first flagship commercial project initiated by the Shanghai West Bund Group, managed by the Shanghai YingLi Operating Department.

>> CHALLENGE

Combination of multilpe elements and fabrications: The designing ideology requires the signage system to discard traditional flat panel styles, adopting the mirror-polished 8K stainless steel material, chameleon paint finishes and curved forms. Meanwhile, it pursues visual effects that featured as extra-thin and extra-lightweighted. These requirements contradict each other, and consequently cause massive challenges to material choice and manufacturing fabrication.

From 2D to 3D originality: The project brand symbol contains a highly identifiable teardrop letter form: "a", which penetrates the entire visual system. The core problem during the detailed design phase is to accurately convert the 2D, aesthetic symbol into the 3D sign that can still stand the test when observing closely, and then be incorporated into touchpoints such as guidebooks, artistic tools and window displays.

>> SOLUTION

In order to solve problems like materials mixture, DIKA SIGN team has made tremendous amount of interdisciplinary craft experiments. For instance, in order to achieve iridescent effects, the team has tried multiple paint ratios and spraying techniques to ensure the colors change with respect to visual sights dynamics. 

During the manufacturing process, we've made meticulous pre-fabrication, polishing and anodizing protection for each 8K mirror-polishing stainless steel that pertains to high standards. This helps preventing issues like pitting, scratches and uneven oxidation, and eventually ensuring the artistic qualities of final products.

>> IMPACT

Defined unique spatial ambiance: the modernity of mirror-polished stainless steel, and the integration of vividness of dynamic colors as well as the softness of curved forms. Together, they formed the distinctive spatial character of AI PLAZA’s “artistic mall”. It enables the wayfinding system to become the spatial crafts, therefore elevating the overall aesthetic style.

From Design to Delivery

DIKA SIGN manages every stage of the project with clear responsibility and cost control.

Delivering reliable results through optimized manufacturing processes and disciplined on-site execution.