OMA has revealed its golden installation in front of the main entrance of K11 MUSEA - a new cultural-retail destination on Victoria Dockside, Hong Kong’s waterfront. Called KUBE, the multi-functional installation has been designed to create a distinctive and intimate place for encounters and happenings. 

KUBE is an invitation to shoppers and passers-by from the local community and abroad to stop by, and be fully present to experience the city. OMA's KUBE is situated in front of a main entrance of K11 MUSEA—a ten-storey retail space designed to blend cultural experiences and commerce, and designed as a compact, multi-functional installation: at once a kiosk, an outdoor seating area and an event space. 

KUBE is built from a golden colour cubic volume, which is home to a local artisan coffee brewer. The installation's anodised aluminum finish changes colour as light of different qualities reflects from the material, offering visitors unique scenes at dawn and dusk, day and night.

Seating is an integral part of the installation. Adjacent to the kiosk is a set of stone cubes that functions as outdoor chairs and tables—configured in a way to enhance connections between visitors. People stopping by the stone cubes for coffee breaks, or simply to enjoy the harbour view, readily end up in serendipitous conversations. 

The stone cubes also create possibilities for different events—such as outdoor performances with a harbourview—to inject cultural programs into the shopping area.

For special events, a giant red balloon, visible from across Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour, is installed as a "city canopy" to gather all participants under the same roof, and as an "urban pin" to mark the KUBE as a place in the city for inspiring encounters.

"Small in scale, yet distinguished by its simple geometry and engaging happenings around it, KUBE is an urban landmark of experience, rather than spectacle," said OMA. 

The project was led by Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten. 

Image © OMA

Image © OMA

Image © OMA

Project facts

Project name: KUBE 

Location: Hong Kong, China

Year: 2019 

Status: Completed 

Program: Retail 

Collaborators: 

Project management: K11 MUSEA

Facade consultant: Front

Structure consultant: BuroHappold

Lighting: Inhabit

All images © Kevin Mak, courtesy of OMA unless otherwise stated.

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