Architect: LAVA Laboratory For Visionary Architecture, Australia 
Location: various locations

Commissioned by the City of Sydney, Australia via their renowned Customs House and created by LAVA (Laboratory for Visionary Architecture), the Digital Tigers were adopted by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) to bring attention to the international campaign to save tigers. 

The tigers have 2.5 metres high and 7 metres long , yet weigh only 200 Kg and use a mix of recyclable materials as PVC and aluminium. Pulsating low energy LED lighting brings the sculptures to life.

The crouching digital tigers combine ancient lantern making methods with cutting edge digital design and fabrication technology, bringing east and west together through tradition and innovation.

The tigers are inspired by “zhezhi”, a Chinese term for paper folding, more popularly known by its Japanese name “origami”. Traditional Chinese lantern makers in Sichuan province, where lantern making has been taking place for over 800 years, and local artisans were consulted. The Chinese or Lunar New Year is the most important Chinese holiday and starts with a Lantern Festival. The Chinese lunar astrological sign was the metal tiger in 2010.The project continues LAVA’s mission in lightweight structures to build more with less. The tigers were part of an ongoing multidisciplinary program featuring contemporary architecture, installations, photography and digital media exhibitions in Customs House.

Technical info: PVC Barrisol
Picture credits: LAVA