Guilherme Torres' "Mangrove": A Crystal Vision of Sustainability

Winner of the Platinum A' Design Award, this installation marries art, design, and environmental consciousness

Guilherme Torres, a renowned Brazilian architect, has created an installation named "Mangrove" for Swarovski Crystal Palace. The installation, which won the Platinum A' Design Award in 2015, is a testament to Torres' innovative approach to design and his commitment to sustainability. Drawing inspiration from the mangrove forests of Brazil, Torres has crafted a unique experience that transports spectators to a tropical atmosphere, dominated by complex structures.

The design is a large Voronoi diagram, a mathematical concept that describes the division of spaces into cells with corresponding focal points. This, combined with the imagery of mangrove roots, led Torres and his team to design angled structures of acrylic tubes filled with amber-colored Swarovski crystals and illuminated from within by LEDs. These "root" structures, which Torres wanted to look "as if they were made of crystals," are set into shallow pools of water, against a backdrop of projections of an Amazonian sunset.

Water conservation was a key inspiration for Torres, prompted by the arrival of Swarovski’s Waterschool in Brazil in 2014. The Waterschool project teaches children about water conservation, a crucial aspect of Swarovski's crystal manufacturing process. However, Torres chose to avoid overt references to water, instead focusing on the roots of the mangrove tree and their forests, an integral part of Brazil’s aquatic ecosystem.

The installation was constructed using acrylic tubes filled with crystal bits, which are remains of other pieces that have been lapidated. This choice of material establishes a direct relationship to sustainability and recycling. The joints that put the structures together were made of wood, making the assembly and execution easier and incredibly interesting. To integrate the element of water into the project, a wide water-mirror was created, occupying the area of the entire exhibition.

Interactive sound and light elements were also incorporated to provide visitors with an immersive experience. Walls between spaces received LED panels that emulate a full day in the Amazon forest, from dawn to dusk. The project's objective was to transport the spectator to another site, creating a tropical atmosphere dominated by the complex structures. The installation became a sensory project, where every single element has a meaning and a concept.

Guilherme Torres' "Mangrove" is a stunning example of how art, design, and a commitment to environmental sustainability can come together to create a unique and immersive experience. The installation not only showcases Torres' innovative design approach but also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of water conservation and the beauty of Brazil's aquatic ecosystems.