Elemental Installations: Immersive Spatial Design
We abstract nature's raw power into sensorial, immersive environments. Our installations use elements like soil, salt, and light to ground you in a narrative experience.
A visitor contemplates the monumental textures of our 'Soil' installation. We abstracted the story of soil into varied layers of embracing surfaces, with debossed roots implying both its nurturing character and its quiet, primordial strength.
We invite you to dive into the deep. This immersive sonic and visual experience uses over forty layers of custom double-weave fabrics to abstractly render the mysterious and poetic landscape of the sea. The interplay of light, sound, and textile creates an environment that speaks of the ocean's unfathomable depths.
Here, we manifest the Colour of the Year 'Terra' as a visual poem of colossal leaves. The installation evokes the feeling of homecoming, of walking on fallen leaves as they return to the soil. It is a metaphorical and sensorial exploration of primordial materials and the emotional sanctuary of familiarity.
For our 'Salt' installation, we explored the mineral as a biomaterial of the future. This carved monolith, etched with the narrative of the theme, stands amidst a landscape of crystalline forms, showcasing the delicate strength and beauty of a material forged over millennia.
Our interpretation of the 'Shroom' design direction, creating an elaborate landscape of organic forms and textures. The space, inspired by the mycelic world, uses the textile technique of Fru-Fru to hint at the quiet strength and strange beauty of fungi.
The 'Silver Escapade' installation features a colonnade of sculptural totems that blur time. The play of matte silver, reflective mirrors, and ornate forms against modern lines creates localized illusions, embedding the audience into a dream-like, interactive experience.
A detail of the 'Soil' installation, where the surface texture and material treatment hint at its historical and geological essence. The embracing, womb-like forms are articulated with different techniques to echo the versatility and warmth of the earth itself.
This curated corner from our 'Into The Deep' installation showcases objects that evoke the sea's mystery. A cloud-like chandelier hangs above sculptures and textiles that allude to the unfathomable, expansive, and haunting depths of the ocean.
A visitor becomes part of the 'Terra' installation, dwarfed by the scale of the abstract leaf forms. The space is designed to be a metaphorical and poetic experience, rendering the emotion of homecoming and grounding in a quiet, familiar scene.
Backlit panels of salt create a warm, glowing structure in our 'Salt' installation. This piece highlights the potential of an abundant, natural resource, proving that the simplest materials can inspire awe and wonder through thoughtful design.
About Elemental Installations: Earth, Water & Light
We approach every installation as a narrative unfolding in real-time, allowing the materials, be it soil, salt, or fiber, to dictate the form. Our process involves deep material research and hands-on prototyping to ensure that what we build is not just a backdrop, but an active, sensory participant in your space. Whether you are planning an exhibition or a brand launch, we start by understanding the story you want to tell and mapping it to the physical textures and lighting that will bring it to life.
For ten years, our studio has operated at the intersection of art and environment. We believe that a space should do more than simply hold people, it should speak to them. Our work with elemental materials is driven by a constant search for new expressions. When we utilize soil, we are not just using a medium, we are tapping into its history, its tactile warmth, and its geological complexity.
Our process is iterative and fluid. We do not work from static plans. Instead, we rely on the knowledge gained from physical prototyping and material testing. This allows us to handle the constraints of large-scale fabrication, from rigging to light distribution, while maintaining the delicate, artisanal quality of hand-woven textiles or sculpted forms.
We design with a focus on how the user interacts with the room. We map out the flow, the light, and the touch points to ensure the final environment is a cohesive, emotional sanctuary. We have successfully translated abstract themes into physical realities for diverse clients across India, ensuring that even the most complex technical requirements, like multi-zone audio or DMX programmed lighting, feel seamless within the organic aesthetic.
Wari Watai
At Wari Watai, we are a family of makers who find stories in the smallest fragments, from a handful of soil to a coil of copper wire. We have spent the last decade blurring the lines between art and environment, building spaces that feel less like structures and more like memories you have already lived.
Find the right design direction
Describe your project or preferred material to find the right expertise.
More from Experiential & Spatial Design by Wari Watai