Hong Kong installation turns 9,200 recycled masks into public seating

The Tidal Stories installation in Tai Kok Tsui transforms over 9,200 recycled surgical masks collected from a local elderly care center into durable public seating, creating a unique urban space that reflects more than a century of coastal and urban change. Designed by Design PY, the helical structure serves as a physical timeline, illustrating Tai Kok Tsui’s evolution from a coastal settlement to an industrial and reclaimed area. Engraved metal tabletops embedded in the installation depict historical shorelines and industrial zones, linking the neighborhood’s maritime and workshop heritage with contemporary public use. The project emphasizes sustainability and community engagement through its modular construction, allowing easy transport and future reuse of components as individual chairs. Small solar panels provide off-grid lighting, highlighting renewable energy applications in public spaces. Collaboration with local printmakers introduced traditional letterpress techniques into interpretive panels, strengthening cultural heritage connections. Co-creation workshops involving community members and elders helped shape the design and materials, fostering a deeper public understanding of circular production and environmental responsibility beyond