Arthur Mamou-Mani's 3D-printed "water corridor" unveiled at Clerkenwell Design Week

A glowing 3D-printed installation by architect Arthur Mamou-Mani has been revealed at Clerkenwell Design Week, which is captured in this exclusive video produced by Dezeen.

Mamou-Mani's Harmonic Tides installation comprises two sculptural walls that ripple through the historic arches of St John's Gate in Clerkenwell, forming an enveloping "water corridor" animated by light and sound.

Arthur Mamou-Mani's Harmonic Tides installation was revealed at CDW

Made from sugar-based PLA bioplastic and fabricated locally in east London, the structure was created using modules from Mamou-Mani's previous works, reconfigured specially for the site to reduce material use and waste in line with circular design principles.

As light pulses across its undulating surfaces and ambient sound fills the vaulted passageway, the installation draws on hydrodynamic forms like river eddies and spiral ocean currents to evoke the serenity of underwater environments.

Its ripple-like geometry, enhanced by responsive LED lighting and a custom musical composition, transforms the space into a contemplative retreat amid the otherwise bustling central London streets.

"This sensory-rich, almost spiritual atmosphere invites visitors to slow down and experience a rare moment of stillness, especially in the city," Mamou-Mani told Dezeen.

"It heightens their awareness of the interplay between sound, light and form."

The juxtaposition between the organic glow of the translucent bioplastic and the solidity of the stone arches and surrounding architecture adds to the installation's calming and reflective character.

Clerkenwell Design Week kicked off in London this week, where visitors will have the chance to experience the Harmonic Tides installation until 22 May 2025.

An exhibition of the 15 shortlisted proposals from the Shaping Water Competition is also on display at the Villeroy & Boch and Ideal Standard showroom in Clerkenwell throughout the festival.

Mamou-Mani was selected as the winner of the Shaping Water Competition organised by Dezeen in collaboration with Villeroy & Boch and Ideal Standard.

The contest invited architects and designers to create a large-scale public installation celebrating the essence of water.

Proposals needed to explore both the functional and aesthetic qualities of water, highlighting its dynamic nature and its transformative impact on wellbeing.

Harmonic Tides was selected from over 200 competition entries from around the world, with judges praising its sustainable approach, poetic concept and bold execution.

"This proposal appealed because of its ability to somewhat freeze the wave-like rhythms of water movement through its structure," said Dezeen's editorial director Max Fraser, who was one of the judges of the competition.

"The 3D-printed sugar-based PLA has been cleverly engineered into these self-supporting undulating forms that will cocoon visitors in the space," he continued.

Find out more about the Shaping Water Competition ›

Photography courtesy of Clerkenwell Design Week

Clerkenwell Design Week will take place from May 20 to 22. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.

Partnership content

The Shaping Water Competition is organised by Dezeen in partnership with Villeroy & Boch and Ideal Standard. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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