The elevator remains one of the few modern architectural spaces defined almost entirely by its technical requirements. We typically treat the cabin as a transit box—a functional necessity designed for efficiency rather than experience. NUMA, a project by interaction designer and creative technologist Shimin Gu, seeks to dissolve these rigid boundaries through an immersive projection system that reconfigures the elevator as a responsive spatial interface.
Unlike traditional renovations that require structural overhauls, NUMA relies on a ceiling-mounted unit equipped with a spatial scanning mechanism. This scanner reads the cabin’s geometry in real time, automatically aligning projected content to the specific dimensions of the enclosure. It is a retrofit approach, allowing the system to be deployed across diverse architectural contexts without the need for manual calibration or physical reconstruction.
The visual output is strategically concentrated in the upper peripheral areas, preserving the legibility of the existing interior while introducing a sense of depth. By projecting slow-moving sequences of open environments—skies, landscapes, or abstract compositions—the system eases the psychological weight of the enclosure. The result is a subtle shift in perception, turning a mundane moment of transition into an expansive, if fleeting, environmental experience.
With reporting from Designboom.
Source · Designboom
