On Running Rock, London

Developed in 2023 for the ON Running flagship store in London, this project evolves the "foundational rock" concept initiated in Zurich. Following the success of the first installation, the studio was commissioned to adapt the original 3D-scanned volume of the Swiss Alps' granite boulder to the specific architectural and cultural identity of the British capital.

The design team conceptualized the London Rock as a dialogue between the brand's alpine roots and the city’s architectural heritage. The piece features a complex "skin" made from a diverse array of bricks, meticulously arranged in layers that create a stunning stratification of colors. These layers are separated by brass rings and supported by an aluminum base, paying homage to the predominant material of London’s urban landscape while maintaining the organic form of the foundational myth.

Technically, the installation represented a significant engineering challenge in terms of weight optimization. Originally estimated at 2.5 metric tons if solid, the studio developed a solution to create a hollow shell meticulously sculpted from intact, yet lightened, bricks. This reduced the final weight to just 400 kilograms. Furthermore, the placement of the brass rings is not arbitrary; it follows the actual pathways and topography that connect various parks throughout London, inviting customers to explore the city’s running routes.

As a centerpiece of the London flagship, this installation demonstrates the studio’s mastery in material hybridization. By combining 3D scanning technology with traditional masonry and urban mapping, the team transformed a geological symbol into a site-specific artifact that grounds ON Running’s technological innovation in the physical and historical fabric of London.