Busan Echoes. Milan
Installation.
Environmental Graphics.
Università Statale di Milano, via Festa del Perdono. Milan / Aprile 2026 / INTERNI MATERIAE / City of Busan. South Korea
Busan Echoes. Milan
Installation.
Environmental Graphics.
Università Statale di Milano, via Festa del Perdono. Milan / Aprile 2026 / INTERNI MATERIAE / City of Busan. South Korea
An acoustic and sensory landscape unfolds as a living wave of light and sound. Conceived as an open, barrier-free plaza, the installation acts as a polyphonic field that generates synaptic connections between visitors and the genius loci of Busan, South Korea’s vibrant maritime metropolis. The project explores the intersection of material, language, and interaction, where matter becomes resonance and design becomes connection – reflecting city’s vision as World Design Capital 2028.
The heart of the pavilion is a “blooming garden” of sound-producing metal elements. Inspired by Busan’s industrial heritage, these vertical components feature varied finishes and integrated lighting. Mounted on slender stems, they respond to human touch and movement with a range of tones and frequencies, creating a dynamic acoustic interplay. This physical resonance merges with a directional audio system that layers the “echoes” of the city – from the pulse of its vibrant streets to the breath of the sea and wind.
Suspended above the plaza, semi-transparent textile veils evoke the maritime identity of the Korean coast, recalling sails shaped by the wind. Inscribed with Hangul typography, these veils act as bold identity markers that anchor the installation in its cultural narrative. Throughout the day, the fabric filters natural light to create layered, iridescent effects, providing visual depth while discreetly housing the ambient audio technology.
The installation is grounded by an elevated wooden platform with integrated seating, defining a unified space for conviviality and dialogue. To complete the immersive experience, small embedded monitors along the perimeter present visual narratives of Busan, bridging the gap between the physical installation and the city’s innovative energy.
The project was designed for Milan Design Week 2026 as part of INTERNI MATERIAE, the exhibition-event by Interni Magazine.
Photo by Saverio Lombardi Vallauri – Courtesy of INTERNI Magazine.
An acoustic and sensory landscape unfolds as a living wave of light and sound. Conceived as an open, barrier-free plaza, the installation acts as a polyphonic field that generates synaptic connections between visitors and the genius loci of Busan, South Korea’s vibrant maritime metropolis. The project explores the intersection of material, language, and interaction, where matter becomes resonance and design becomes connection – reflecting city’s vision as World Design Capital 2028.
The heart of the pavilion is a “blooming garden” of sound-producing metal elements. Inspired by Busan’s industrial heritage, these vertical components feature varied finishes and integrated lighting. Mounted on slender stems, they respond to human touch and movement with a range of tones and frequencies, creating a dynamic acoustic interplay. This physical resonance merges with a directional audio system that layers the “echoes” of the city – from the pulse of its vibrant streets to the breath of the sea and wind.
Suspended above the plaza, semi-transparent textile veils evoke the maritime identity of the Korean coast, recalling sails shaped by the wind. Inscribed with Hangul typography, these veils act as bold identity markers that anchor the installation in its cultural narrative. Throughout the day, the fabric filters natural light to create layered, iridescent effects, providing visual depth while discreetly housing the ambient audio technology.
The installation is grounded by an elevated wooden platform with integrated seating, defining a unified space for conviviality and dialogue. To complete the immersive experience, small embedded monitors along the perimeter present visual narratives of Busan, bridging the gap between the physical installation and the city’s innovative energy.
The project was designed for Milan Design Week 2026 as part of INTERNI MATERIAE, the exhibition-event by Interni Magazine.
Photo by Saverio Lombardi Vallauri – Courtesy of INTERNI Magazine.
