At the main entrance to a new retail development in downtown Philadelphia, a four-story glass cube becomes a field of shifting color, animated by movement inside and out. Vertical circulation within the cube and the constant flow of Market Street traffic activate the installation, turning arrival into an experience shaped by motion and perception.

Sequin occupies the full height of the interior walls of the glass cube, acting as a spatial backdrop to arrival and departure. The installation is composed of custom-shaped and bent aluminum fins arranged into a three-dimensional surface, interwoven with mirrored elements. Together, these components produce an iridescent field that continuously recalibrates as visitors move up and down the escalators and as activity passes by outside.

The visual effect draws inspiration from color interference found in nature—peacock feathers, fish scales, reptile skin, and beetle shells—where slight shifts in angle produce dramatic changes in hue. Rather than relying on microscopic layering, Sequin translates this phenomenon into an architectural scale, using precisely cut aluminum fins to create a lenticular effect across a controlled color spectrum.

As viewers move laterally or vertically, neighboring fins come in and out of alignment, revealing different colors through parallax. Mirrors laminated to portions of the fins reflect the color on the reverse side of adjacent elements, further mixing hues and incorporating fragments of the surrounding environment. Color is not applied as a surface treatment alone, but generated through spatial relationships and motion.

The front and back faces of the fin array carry distinct color gradients, giving Sequin a dual identity. Visitors encounter one spectrum upon entering and another as they exit, reinforcing the idea that the installation is experienced in time as much as in space. Daylight filtering through the glass cube activates the surface differently throughout the day, ensuring that no two moments appear exactly the same.

Through reflection, movement, and color interference, Sequin transforms a circulation space into an immersive visual experience. The installation treats motion, light, and perception as primary materials, framing the act of passing through the building as an event in itself.

Photos: Alan Tansey