Arthur Mamou-Mani, a French architect based in London, has won the international “Shaping Water” competition with an innovative project grounded in sustainable and environmentally conscious architectural principles. This global competition aimed to find cutting-edge, sustainable design solutions for public spaces and challenged participants to use hydrodynamic knowledge and bioclimatic strategies to create a structure that harmoniously responds to the historic St John’s Gate site in London, reflecting an intelligent interaction between humans and the element of water. The winning project, titled “Harmonic Tides,” will be unveiled and installed at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025.
This conceptual architectural installation consists of two undulating walls featuring complex, parametric geometries inspired by natural dynamic forms such as river vortices and oceanic spiral currents. The structure is fabricated using advanced 3D printing technology, and its modular design allows precise customization and material optimization. The integration of LED lighting, synchronized with ambient music, creates an interactive multisensory experience that invites visitors to a renewed perception of the fluidity of water and its surrounding environment.
The structure’s modules are made from PLA (polylactic acid), a bioplastic derived from renewable bio-based resources such as sugar. This material is considered an excellent choice for sustainable design due to its compostability and reduced environmental pollutants. Additionally, the use of recycled and reconfigured modules, based on a Circular Design approach, has minimized waste and energy consumption. The local production of these modules at Mamou-Mani’s London studio underscores the project’s commitment to lowering its carbon footprint and enhancing environmental efficiency.
The jury praised the project for its intelligent integration of advanced technologies, parametric design, and a forward-thinking environmental approach. Harmonic Tides is recognized as a prominent example of regenerative architecture—a methodology that goes beyond minimizing negative impacts to actively restoring and enhancing natural and human ecosystems. This project represents a future where architectural design, grounded in a deep understanding of biological processes, natural cycles, and sustainable technologies, creates spaces with both ecological and cultural value.