Inspired by the ocean’s global and microscopic scales, the Ocean of Light is a participatory artwork that is a single entity emblematic of our ocean, celebrating the beauty of mass movement. 

The design has been a response to the Dubai 2020 of “connecting minds, creating the future,” and specifically for the UK, “Global Britain, innovating for a shared future.” In the blue Great Ocean Hall, shaded by its gently rippling blue rope façade, eight pillars of light transport visitors upwards, passing through and rising above other visitors gathered in the hall.

The Ocean of Light suspends visitors in a mirrored vertical infinity, momentarily transporting them into the tiny scale of plankton in a dynamic, connected collective. 

Tonkin Liu leads a close-knit team with Arup, Integration, Natural History Museum, Seam Design, Turner and Townsend, Squint Opera, and construction advisers from Stage One, Expomobilia, and TÜV SÜD Dunbar Boardman. 

client department for international trade
location dubai, uae
status shortlisted, 2018
structural engineer arup
sustainability integration
lighting seam design
cost consultant turner & townsend
size 3,700 sqm