Artificial Topography, created by Ryumei Fujiki and Yukiko Sato, is an innovative architectural installation that transforms a standard 40-foot shipping container into an immersive, cave-like environment. Developed for the 2011 Kobe Biennale's "Art in Container International Competition," the project redefines space through the use of approximately 1,000 sheets of 10mm-thick soft plastic. These sheets were cut into contour-line shapes and layered to form an undulating, amorphous interior.
This installation serves as both art and furniture, allowing visitors to interact with its soft, pliable surfaces—reminiscent of a continuous, seamless landscape. It challenges conventional notions of interior design by dissolving boundaries between floor, wall, and ceiling, creating a space where every contour is unique, inviting relaxation and personal exploration.
Artificial Topography reflects Fujiki and Sato’s interest in “nature-oriented architecture,” emphasizing organic forms and connectivity between structure and human experience. The project has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Grand Prize at Kobe Biennale and the Platinum A' Design Award.
