Cumulus, as its name suggests, is inspired by clouds. Siu associates many of Swire’s buildings—particularly One Island East, which soars high into the sky in Taikoo, and the Frank Gehry-designed Opus, which sits at a lofty location on Stubbs Road—with clouds as they often shroud the buildings or frame them as they move in the distance behind: ‘I always see clouds as a backdrop to these buildings,’ he says. But Siu felt he could use clouds in Cumulus for another reason, too. The lounge is ‘a place where we’re all connected — all under one sky, under the clouds.’ So as Swire aims to connect space, users and the environment in its properties, the lounge will act as a place where minds meet and ideas are exchanged.
Siu’s lounge is filled with natural wood, pale colours and smooth curves. There is a constant suggestion of movement in it, achieved with the light, translucent fabric that forms the overhanging cloud-like design. ‘When we interact it’s very physical,’ he says. ‘When we talk or move we affect the environment, and the air between us, so the fabric I used to represent the clouds will move. This represents how people connect. I want things to move so not only do you hear noise and see people, but you watch the fabric move. It proves that there are interactions taking place within the lounge.’