Architectural Cases

Artist Cristina Iglesias has recently completed her latest work, "Aurora Borealis Star Dome," a striking sculpture now gracing the Princess Estelle Sculpture Park in Stockholm's Royal Djurgården. This captivating artwork represents a fusion of organic inspiration and meticulous construction, creating an interactive space for public engagement. It reimagines a historical site, once a royal hunting ground, into a contemporary sanctuary for reflection.

The "Aurora Borealis Star Dome" Unveiled in Stockholm

On June 2, 2026, the Princess Estelle Sculpture Park in Stockholm's Royal Djurgården became home to its seventh permanent artwork, "Aurora Borealis Star Dome." Conceived by Spanish artist Cristina Iglesias, this impressive structure measures 4.8 meters in height and 7 meters in width. Crafted from cast aluminum, steel, and vibrant colored glass, the dome's intricate design evokes the natural forms of tree branches and geological formations, seemingly emerging from the bedrock of its site. Located at the highest point of the park, the sculpture's canopy frames the sky and the surrounding forest, inviting visitors to step inside. The dome's upper section features green and blue glass panels, which are specifically designed to filter daylight, mimicking the ethereal hues of the aurora borealis. As the sun traverses the sky, its light interacts with the glass, casting dynamic reflections and shadows that continuously alter the interior atmosphere, fostering what Iglesias envisions as a moment of profound stillness and wonder. This installation occupies a historically significant area known as the 'hunting star,' a former 17th-century royal hunting ground where paths radiated outwards. Iglesias's work reinterprets this historical context, transforming a place once marked by exclusivity and observation into an open, inclusive space for community gathering, rest, and contemplative experiences. The artist's journey to this creation began in January 2025, when she visited Stockholm at the invitation of the Princess Estelle Cultural Foundation. During her exploration of the vast park, she was particularly struck by a natural rock formation and the unique way sunlight permeated the tree canopy. This discovery directly influenced the sculpture's design, which skillfully bridges the gap between the earth's natural contours and a man-made cupola, blurring the lines between architecture, landscape, and illusion. The artist's intention was not to create an object to be observed from a distance, but rather an immersive environment to be experienced firsthand. The tactile cast surfaces recall tangled vegetation and roots, while the progressively ordered upper framework introduces architectural precision. This deliberate interplay between the organic and the artificial exemplifies Iglesias's ongoing fascination with thresholds, concealed spaces, and the integration of nature within built environments. "Aurora Borealis Star Dome" is accessible year-round, offering a unique journey of discovery through the Stockholm forest. Within its tranquil interior, the shifting colored light, varying weather conditions, passage of time, and movements of visitors all contribute to an ever-evolving and deeply personal experience.

This magnificent installation by Cristina Iglesias offers a compelling discourse on the relationship between art, nature, and human experience. It encourages us to pause, observe, and reconnect with our surroundings in a profound way. The dome serves as a powerful reminder that art can transform historical narratives and create new spaces for collective and individual introspection. It emphasizes the beauty found in the interplay of light and material, and how thoughtful design can enhance our appreciation of both the natural world and artistic innovation. The work's ability to constantly shift and change with the environment ensures that each visit offers a unique encounter, fostering a deeper, more personal connection with the artwork and its setting.

In an effort to breathe new life into an unoccupied apartment within a Kyoto public housing complex, Tato Architects, under the guidance of Yo Shimada, spearheaded a transformative renovation. This ambitious project, part of a city-wide initiative involving eight universities, centers around a striking 3.6-meter diameter semicircular table. This impressive piece of furniture serves as the core organizing element, redefining the functionality and flow of the living space. The broader goal of this university-led collaboration is to rejuvenate vacant units in older housing developments, converting them into comfortable residences for professionals in the welfare sector.

The design effectively consolidates essential domestic functions within compact plywood modules. This strategic arrangement allows the expansive blue-green table to dominate the main living area, offering a versatile surface for a multitude of activities. Whether for dining, working, socializing, or relaxation, the table promotes a communal and adaptable living experience. Its strategic placement and substantial size fundamentally restructure the daily routines within the apartment, encouraging residents to utilize the shared space more dynamically.

Reimagining Space with a Central Feature

The original layout of the apartment, typical for a nuclear family, featured numerous walls that created a fragmented and enclosed environment. Through the removal of non-structural partitions, the space was dramatically opened up, resulting in a significantly larger area that exceeded the needs of a single occupant. The team from Yo Shimada Laboratory, composed of graduate and undergraduate students, developed diverse renovation concepts. After a comprehensive review with participating universities, one proposal was selected for implementation, which subsequently involved further detailed planning for building services, finishes, and construction drawings.

The design addresses the newly expanded interior with the introduction of a custom-built, semicircular table that transcends typical furniture dimensions. Measuring 3,600 mm in diameter, this table commands the living room, which spans over 20 square meters, creating the illusion that it extends from an adjacent room into the main living area. The room's uniform white finish accentuates the table, allowing it to function as the primary spatial anchor within the otherwise open-plan apartment. Rather than confining the table to a singular purpose, the design celebrates its role as a flexible, communal surface, encouraging a seamless blend of daily activities and promoting the use of the broader living area beyond the more confined functional zones.

Integrated Plywood Volumes and Cohesive Design

In a clever architectural counterpoint, essential utility areas such as the bedroom, kitchen, toilet, and bathroom are condensed into roughly one-third of the total floor area. These compact volumes are strategically positioned around the existing structural elements of the toilet and bathroom, which serve as fixed reference points. The design employs plywood and tile finishes for these functional spaces, mirroring the distinct blue-green hue of the central table. This creates a strong visual link and maintains a cohesive aesthetic throughout the apartment, despite the varied material applications.

By minimizing the footprint of the dedicated domestic areas, the oversized semicircular table emerges as the undisputed focal point, around which all daily activities revolve. This thoughtful arrangement allows for a fluid and unconstrained definition of spaces, blurring the traditional boundaries between dining, work, conversation, and relaxation. The integrated design fosters an adaptable living environment where functions can effortlessly overlap and transition, reflecting a modern approach to urban dwelling.