Inspired by origami (the Japanese art of paper folding) and plissé (the folding of fabric), the design merges aesthetics and structure into a single, coherent language. Thin metal sheets are folded to transform a flat surface into a self-supporting, rigid form. The primary roof beam — created through folding — serves simultaneously as a rain and sun shield. A cross-fold transitions the roof plane downward, connecting it elegantly to the ground and forming a unified, continuous structure from a single sheet of material.

For a new residential development, the client was given the option to either install a standard city bus shelter or commission a custom design that would integrate required elements such as signage, route maps, and the city’s electronic arrival and departure system.

The design brief called for a structure that provides protection from rain and sunlight, offers simple seating for waiting passengers, and includes discreet lighting for nighttime visibility. The guiding principle was to minimize both material use and visual clutter — creating a refined, efficient, and contextually sensitive addition to the streetscape.

A secondary folded steel sheet reinforces the vertical element, concealing electrical conduits and drainage within the folds. Circular openings maintain visual transparency along the street, ensuring visibility and safety, while translucent acrylic tubes bridge the inner and outer folds — diffusing light and transforming the perforations into integrated luminaires.

A simple bench, formed using the same folding technique, completes the composition. The result is a minimal yet expressive urban element — a bus shelter that embodies lightness, efficiency, and a distinctive sculptural identity.