Tube of Whispers

Kunming’s 300m-long, 8m-high evacuation passageway, built only for emergencies, currently stands as an underutilized void in the heart of the city. Its scale and central location highlight the problem: a vital urban connector that fails to contribute to everyday life or community well-being. The design reimagines the passageway as a dynamic “hidden playground,” transforming a monotonous escape route into a vibrant social spine. Inspired by the game of whispers, where a message morphs as it passes along, the tunnel is divided into 16 sequential segments, each hosting ephemeral, community-driven programs. Colorful treatments on walls, floors, and ceilings shift along the way, creating evolving atmospheres that invite curiosity and play. Flexible spaces double as pop-up cafés, galleries, workshops, sports courts, or retail stalls through movable, lightweight furniture. This modularity ensures easy evacuation when required while enabling daily activation. By blending safety with joy, the project creates an adaptive, participatory space that fosters urban happiness and cultural identity.