Anish Kapoor’s iconic Cloud Gate sculpture (‘The Bean’) in Chicago demonstrates the power of mirrored surfaces on a singular large public sculpture. Photo: Richard Tao/Unsplash
Welcome back, my dear design enthusiasts at home! I have previously discussed design elements and design principles as the fundamental knowledge in design.
If you have followed my series of past articles, we have covered the art of designing with shadows, natural lighting, natural ventilation, colour psychology, visual connectivity, and even designing with plants!
Today, we shall talk about mirrors in architecture and interior design. Mirrors are one of my favourite go-tos whenever I need an extra spark in the design.
Considering the huge impact they bring, mirrors are worthwhile investing in, as they are low budget yet yield high impact.
Let me share five easy strategies of using mirrors in architecture and interior design. With references to various structures around the world, it is fascinating to see how mirrors bring excitement to a simple design concept.
When you are looking for a singular object or focal point to be the centre of attention, consider a mirrored-finish sculpture or a shiny console table.
Last year, the retro disco ball became a viral trend in TikTok and Instagram albeit reinvented as lighting fixtures, chairs, planters, and decor. It’s fun and reverberates good vibes in the room when the sun shines on the mirrored surfaces.
In the larger context of public spaces, Anish Kapoor’s iconic Cloud Gate sculpture (“The Bean”) in Chicago, the United States demonstrates the power of mirrored surfaces on a singular large public sculpture.
Since 2004, The Bean has become synonymous with the Chicago experience. It’s an unforgettable focal point, created with the magic of a mirror.
Eythrope Penang Hill’s dining hall deliberately created a centrepiece mirror to create an illusion of another room on an otherwise blank wall. Photo: W Space Creatives
Mirrors on the ceiling used to be the 1970s staple in interiors of homes and offices. After decades of low popularity, mirrored ceilings are making a fierce comeback. The biggest advantage of a mirrored ceiling is it elevates the height of the space and amplifies the natural lighting in the room.
World-renowned architect Norman Foster boldly designed a mirrored ceiling for an open-air performance shelter at Vieux Port Pavilion in Marseille, France.
The reflective ceiling became its most impactful design concept as it reflects the image of performers, audience and even the port itself. The pavilion sparked a series of other global buildings that celebrate the delight of mirrors on ceilings.
The giant mirrored canopy called the Port Vieux Pavilion in Marseille, France designed by Norman Foster. Photo: 123rf.com
By core function, mirror is a necessity in all bathrooms. But when a large mirror is placed on the wall, light and images are bounced off from different angles.
This creates an expansive illusion to the room, making it feel larger and double in size, literally speaking. Mirrors on the wall can be a large piece from floor to ceiling or ornamental pieces placed near entry doorways.
Hence, the secret trick to designing small spaces is to integrate mirrors in your interiors. Mirror placement is also critical to maximise the impact. If you wish to borrow the view of the outdoor gardens, place a large mirror facing the garden-facing windows.
Now that you understand how a mirror works on walls in an empty room, imagine placing a mirror facing another mirror. The expected outcome is an infinite reflection of image upon an image. That’s how House of Mirrors, which is a typical attraction at funfairs and amusement parks, is based on.
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore plays up this trick in its hallways and guest washrooms with deliberate placements of mirror facing mirror. It’s quite a delightful experience, I must say.
However, apply this cautiously if you have elderly parents in the house who may find them a tad puzzling.
Making a bold statement: Infinity reflections are created when a wall of mirrors faces another, seen here at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. Photo: Tan Bee Eu
This trick is commonly seen in Chinese restaurants’ interiors that have free-standing columns peppering the large dining hall. The columns are often clad in mirrors to borrow the images surrounding it. The simple trick works wonders. The columns seem to blend in, thus achieving the invisible look.
Whenever the intent is to blend in with the surroundings, architects experiment with mirrors as an external façade. In 2019, American film producer Chris Hanley partnered with architect Tomas Osinski to design the Invisible House in Joshua Tree, California.
The mirror-clad house reflects the desert surroundings and gives an impressive illusion of disappearing into its context.
In our Malaysian context, such a feat may be tough to achieve due to the potential hazards it brings to flying birds. Nevertheless, such is the power of integrating mirrors in your concept design.
Mirrors, to me, are awesome yet highly underrated interior decor pieces. It amps up every room by providing added depth and dimension.
If you are keen to accentuate any interior space, dabble with mirrors! The outcome of using mirrors never disappoints me. See you in two weeks!
Tan Bee Eu is a professional architect registered with Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia. She teaches at Universiti Sains Malaysia and has two decades of working experience involving diverse local and international projects in architecture and design. She can be reached at www.betadesignz.com/contact.
