wonderWALL, exhibition space by LIKEarchitects Lisbon

We were convinced as soon as we saw Fernando Guerra’s photos: we really like wonderWALL by LIKEarchitects, in Lisbon, because it combines architecture, art and a visual story in a single project.



LIKEarchitects s a Porto-based architecture studio known for its experimental, innovative and even provocative approach to the world of design. The young partners – Diogo Aguiar, Joao Jesus and Teresa Otto – draw on both the skills and knowhow learnt when studying architecture at the University of Porto, and on their experience working in internationally renowned architecture firms.





Their wonderWALL project the Colombo Shopping Mall in Lisbon was completed in 2014, and it consists of a kind of round screen made with about 20,000 strips of black and white fabric. All of this was designed to build the exhibition space for “The Pool”, a sculpture by artist, Jen Lewin:  this artwork has been touring the world since 2012 and is formed of an environment of giant, concentric circles created from interactive circular pads.





By entering this pool, you enter a world where play and collaborative movement create swirling effects of light and colour – a real happening, just like similar installations recently proposed by other creative artists (link PICAROON).





To bring it to life, you have to actively engage with the installation and with the other visitors, and Fernando Guerra has captured this playful and almost private aspect in his photos, showing what happens when people part the strips of fabric and venture inside. wonderWALL by LIKEarchitects adds a touch of class to the installation, a kind of “peek-a-boo” game that piques the curiosity of shoppers and draws them into this world of fantasy and creativity – and it’s right in the middle of a shopping mall!

(Christiane Bürklein)

The Pool by Jen Lewin, http://jenlewinstudio.com/community-sculpture/the-pool/ (video: http://youtu.be/eIObIvcLNE8)
Architecture: LIKEarchitects, http://www.likearchitects.net/ 
Design team: Diogo Aguiar, Teresa Otto, João Jesus and João Salgueiro, Daniel Mudrak
Location: Colombo Shopping Mall, Lisbon, Portugal
Date: 2014
Curatorship: Emília Tavares
Client: Sonae Sierra
Production: State of the Art
Photography: Fernando Guerra | FG + SG Architectural Photography © http://ultimasreportagens.com/