Through creative ingenuity and architectural expertise, the KOMA team was able to help transform two unique business concepts into reality.
Wink World
KOMA partnered with renowned creator, Chris Wink, to make his immersive entertainment fun-house “Wink World” come to life at the Mall of America (MOA).
Wink, who is best known as one of the founders of the Blue Man Group, is a true artistic visionary. He had designed a similar concept in Las Vegas, but needed to retool the experience to fit within the parameters of the storefront space.
At Wink World, guests advance through a sequence of infinity mirror chambers, each adorned with a captivating fusion of light, color, sound, and motion. KOMA’s architects and engineers needed to support the artistic vision while making sure the experience was functional, accessible, and safe.
“We definitely became part of their creative team – working collaboratively on countless iterations and ideations with artists from across the country.”
– Kevin Dümmer, KOMA Architect
The remote collaboration required KOMA to use their standard design tools in an advanced way. Intricate 3D modeling technology allowed KOMA and the Wink World team to experiment with the layers of cascading contraptions to get them ready for the National Technology Associates team to make them perfectly timed with motion, light, and sound. The client could even use a VR headset to do a virtual walk through of the space.
It was also invaluable to be able to tap into the KOMA team’s knowledge of MOA’s codes and regulations in order to successfully execute the project plan. Extensive site visits by KOMA’s architects were necessary during the buildout to make sure that each aspect was carefully considered.
The custom storefront header is hand-painted by blacklight artist Alex Aliume, and amazing art pieces by Max Steiner and Brendan Burke are showcased throughout. Glowing “Winksters” have colorful personas and invite guests in to the wonderful world.
The end result is truly something special that you have to see to believe!
Museum of Illusions
KOMA joined forces with Museum of Illusions to bring their “edutainment” endeavor to the Mall of America.
At the Museum of Illusions, guests are immersed in an experience designed to captivate the senses, challenge perceptions, and unveil the science behind optical illusions. There are over 60 exhibits within the space, and KOMA helped execute the design intent.
The client is based in Croatia and had previously opened similar exhibits in 25 different countries around the world. Growth in the U.S. market was on the horizon, and they needed an architectural group that could help them navigate the specialized design criteria and code requirements of MOA, as well as implement construction detailing that aligned with the local market.
“Because we have worked with numerous tenants at the Mall of America, we have a unique understanding of the rigorous code requirements. This is especially helpful to our clients who are not locally headquartered.”
– Samantha Smith, KOMA Architectural Designer
The experience working with KOMA helped Museum of Illusions improve their design process and has supported a more efficient growth into other U.S. cities.