MTR
Global placemaking:
This Is Wan Chai
Transforming Wan Chai MTR
Wind & Foster was commissioned by MTR corporation to create a permanent way-finding artwork for Wan Chai MTR station. Leading this year-long project, we collaborated with Conran & Partners and Hong Kong Design Centre.
Sectors
Architecture & Design
Urban Development
Creative signage
Tasked with transforming the daily commute, we created This is Wan Chai—a 220m hyper-realistic portrait turning the station into a living stage. Featuring The Hong Kong Ballet, the artwork serves as a directional design piece, helping 200,000 daily passengers navigate Wan Chai MTR terminal.
Bringing Wan Chai to life
We’ve spotlighted the visceral world of dance in 21 cities, but for the first time in Wan Chai, we’ve done it through a 220-metre life size photo story embedded in a live train station. Featuring 50 dancers and 300 members of the local community, the work can be seen today in Wan Chai MTR.
A Legacy for Wan Chai
The project transformed the daily commute for over 200,000 people, turning a once-empty space into a living, breathing story. The final artwork wraps around the 2nd and 3rd floor of Wan Chai MTR and is a celebration of people and place.
Behind the Scenes
This project was a true collaboration, bringing together over 20 partners—including the UK’s Department for International Trade, Hong Kong Design Centre, and the Royal Academy of Dance. It became a platform for cultural exchange and community connection.
Storyboarding a moving story
From the beginning, we treated the station like a moving canvas. Our storyboards mapped each moment — capturing the dancers' journey as they raced through the imagined city. Every sketch focused on energy and direction, designed to feel alive when viewed at walking speed.
Great British Design
As part of the Great British Design campaign, the project has been recognised internationally for its vision and execution. We were invited to join the UK Trade Mission to Cannes Lions 2022 to celebrate the project’s impact on international placemaking.
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