Paul Cocksedge's Time Loop represents ongoing transformation of Hong Kong neighbourhood

British designer Paul Cocksedge has inserted a timber structure of infinite loops into a public square in Kwun Tong, Hong Kong.

Cocksedge partnered with property developer Sino Group on the installation in Yue Man Square, which aims to transform the space into a vibrant place for reflection and socialising.

Time Loop is located in the ever-changing Kwun Tong square

Called Time Loop, the installation celebrates the ever-transforming nature of Kwun Tong, a large industrial district in Hong Kong that has seen steady development in recent years.

"This piece reflects on Kwun Tong specifically, and its architectural transformation," Cocksedge told Dezeen.

"I wanted to reflect on this flow, and how the character of this local area has changed and evolved over time. My original drawings of this piece were always meant to represent movement, with a shape that had no beginning or end."

During the manufacturing process, the designers paid close attention to making the loops appear infinite

Time Loop is made up of eight loops of timber that measure 3.82 metres tall.

The interconnected rings form a continuous track that aims to reflect "a sense of motion and change".

A poem engraved into the structure also reflects on the passing of time

The structure provides a place for locals to meet, play, rest or contemplate their surroundings.

"I think the success of these types of projects relies on the opening up of new public space that can house public art, parks, seating and fountains," Cocksedge said. "That's what I'm excited about."

It is engraved with an "infinite poem" in two languages, which also reflects on the passage of time.

Locals are able to sit, play, rest and take in their surroundings on Time Loop

Cocksedge used Accoya timber sourced from fast-growing and sustainably certified forests to create Time Loop.

"Time Loop required timber that would be resilient to all sorts of weather and temperature, while still able to bend and be formed into something as flowing as my original sketch," said the designer. "We used laminated steam-bent Accoya, which was joined together in sections."

The designer paid particular attention to making the timber seamlessly loop so that only a continuous piece is visible.

"We spent a lot of time on the engineered joins and ensured the wood grain lined up to create the appearance of an infinite loop," he recalled.

Cocksedge used Accoya timber to create the structure

Although Time Loop is a site-specific installation that has its roots firmly in Kwun Tong, Cocksedge believes that the installation responds to wider trends.

"I think cities all over the world will evolve over the coming years, particularly following on from the effects of Covid, which is likely to change how we interact with urban architecture and public spaces, as well as how we work in cities," he said.

"It's impossible to predict exactly how that’s going to play out in individual locations, but I'm hopeful it creates more of a canvas for creative people to work and create projects for the public."

The designers intended the timber loops to reflect the ongoing transformation of the area

Despite calling London his "creative home" Cocksedge was keen to create the installation in Hong Kong as he has close personal ties to the city.

"I'm very fond of Hong Kong, first and foremost because I have family there, but also because it's offered a lot to me creatively speaking – several projects have arisen through partnerships with companies and individuals based in Hong Kong."

The designer has created other public installations in cities around the world. For London Design Festival 2019, he completed Please Be Seated, an outdoor seating installation made of three concentric rings.

In 2020, he unveiled plans for the Exploded View bridge, a cross-laminated timber bridge across the Liesbeek River in Cape Town.

Photography is by Kris Provoost.

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