Deception of Reflection. Mirror.

Reflection is deceptive. How you see yourself in the mirror is somehow different to how people see you or how you appear in photos and portrayals – both physically and perceptually. Your frame of mind is one of the many factors that determine the intensity of the deception.

As an analogy of this phenomenon, the “Deception of Reflection” Mirror is designed – an ordinary mirror with an extraordinary mirror frame. The frame’s reflection is somehow different to itself!!

No, it’s not a trick mirror or a funny mirror. This effect, which works with any mirror, is created by a special honeycomb surface on the frame, manufactured using coloured 3D printing. Two different colours are embedded into each of the concaved honeycomb cell wall so that at most viewing angles, our eyes see one colour and the mirror reflects another. The optical illusion serves as a reminder that, whenever one reviews oneself, bias exists depending on your frame of mind and point of view.

Deception of Reflection. “Diversity”
This design is a portrayal of those organizations which see themselves as embracing diversity while still operating in a homogeneous culture.

Deception of Reflection. “Green”
This design is a portrayal of those organizations which see themselves as a green organization while they continue to pollute.

Deception of Reflection. “Youth”
This design is a portrayal of those organizations which have long histories but only see their glorious and beautiful past and ignored their immediate and corroded conditions. This is represented with a rusted surface that has a clean and crisp reflection in the mirror.

The special honeycomb surface, created by colour 3D printer, enables the optical illusion. It will be extremely difficult to use hand-colouring to achieve the precision required.

The “Deception of Reflection” Mirror is designed by John Leung for ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects.

"iPad 2 Window" - Virtual Window Design

How can we integrate the new iPad 2 into architecture and fully utilise its new features to achieve things that were not possible on the original iPad?

Introducing the iPad 2 Window - the most affordable and simple solution to a virtual window for your building interior. Using a specially designed App, the new camera and the powerful A5 processor, the iPad can track the face of any passer-by and adjust the onscreen image accordingly. In first person perspective, an illusion of a real window with outside scenery will appear. Since special 3D glasses are not required, this illusion is best achieved when only one user is looking at the iPad at one time. The user can also change the scenery with an iPhone and connect with friends through this window.

By integrating iPad 2 with architecture, it creates a visual connection between two physically separated spaces. As a nod to the environment, we will be upcycling refurbished iPad2s for this project, taking the functionality of the iPad beyond just a personal tablet in the post-PC world.

The “iPad 2 Window” Virtual Window & "iPad Wall" are designed by ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects. Please come back often to check out some of our new ideas!

“Bias of Thoughts” - Bookshelf Design

Thoughts are biased. When ideas are passed from one person to another, due to the transfiguration of the communication process and the frame of mind of the receiver, they are always perceived with bias.

Inspired by the famous 2D drawing of the optical illusive bookshelf, a 3D structure is translated and the “Bias of Thoughts” bookshelf is formed. It can be used for shelving books and iPads as well as hanging magazines. Visually, the optical illusion serves as a reminder that, whenever one picks up a medium, ideas can be misinterpreted when passed from one end to the other.

The “Bias of Thoughts” Bookshelf is designed by ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects. Please come back often to check out some of our new ideas!

"Purposefulness of Shadow" - Chair Design

Shadow is purposeful. Not only does this two dimensional adumbration create graphical cues, the shaded space between the shadow and the object also has numerous purposes. Architects have always been particularly fascinated by the use of shadow and shade in space. The architects who designed this chair aim to draw attention to the purposefulness of this humble but ubiquitous phenomenon of relative scarcity of light (or the relative abundance of darkness).

By constructing a three dimensional representation of a shadow and placing it underneath a chair, the “Purposefulness of Shadow” Chair is formed. Functionally, the “3D shadow” forms an extra rail to hang one’s coat without creasing it while one is leaning back. The (shaded) space between the “3D shadow” and the chair creates a compartment for laptops and handbags in a restaurant scenario. Visually, the “3D Shadow” disguises itself through optical illusion, bringing the focus to the minimal white chair.

The “Purposefulness of Shadow” Chair is designed by ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects. Please come back often to check out some of our new ideas!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays everyone!

See you in the New Year!

from ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects