HEYDAY`S SUNFLOWER

Stainless Steel Sunflowers — an art installation created in Ukraine specifically for this project using hydroforming technology.
Their shape was developed already at the concept stage: sketches by Volodymyr Ponomarenko, the project’s author, were first drawn by hand, then digitized and run through a series of 3D simulations. These virtual models made it possible to test proportions and the spatial dynamics of the petals long before physical production began.

Hydroforming, developed in the mid-20th century for the automotive and aviation industries, is rarely used in interior design. The essence of the method lies in sealing two metal sheets along the perimeter and inflating them with water under high pressure, forming complex volumetric shapes with smooth transitions. In this project, the technology was applied to create the most “alive” kind of plasticity — one that echoes the natural form of flowers.

The manufacturing process involved a series of experiments: testing different metal thicknesses, pressure levels, and shape variations to find the right balance between strength and flexibility. Each element was further refined by hand after hydroforming, and during installation, positioned at various heights and angles to enhance the sense of movement — as if the sunflowers were reaching for the light.

The composition extends beyond the bar area — the sunflowers serve as a spatial accent throughout the entire interior. During the day, the mirror-like petals scatter natural light; in the evening, warm illumination creates a play of soft reflections and shadows that continuously transforms the atmosphere.

For Heyday, this installation is a symbolic gesture. The sunflowers embody the sun, life, and resilience — yet they are presented through the modern language of design as an urban art object.