The Customs House Atrium Installation by ARUP Lighting is inspired by a flower structure known as "Pappus" ...

Think of a dandelion with its feathery bristles making up parachute formations that break free and drift unencumbered in the wind.  An additional layer of light and texture is imagined by utilising coloured projections.

This idea has been realised by suspending umbrellas in the Atrium by multiple ropes.  Recycled/used/broken umbrellas have been stripped back of their membrane and entwined with hairy white rope from their ribs to their crook handle.  This symbolises a ring of fine hair-like bristles and creates the parachute structure.  Feathery rope is wrapped around the tall columns and fixed at different points within Customs House Atrium crreating a 3Dimensional sculptural piece.  In day light, experience the shape shifting shadows produced by the installation and, by night, it comes alive with more vibrrant colours and glowing lit effects.