HUMAN BY DESIGN

Architectural solution of an exhibition presenting social and methodological innovation in design.

Architecture, design and arts have more in common than meets the eye. The assignment for an exhibition project of the Slovak design center combined all three areas. This resulted in a solution of an exhibition space that contributed to the discussion about innovative approaches to design. Parametric design enabled the production of complex structures while optimizing the amount of the used material.

  • Year: 2019
  • Type: Exhibition architecture
  • Stage: Design and production
  • Photo: Petra Rjabinin
  • Clients:

About the exhibition

The exhibition's title (Human by Design) refers to the role design plays in the adaptation of the man to changing circumstances and in the survival of humankind. More and more often we hear about the need for a change in the way we see our society and environment. Design is also dealing with these questions. It strides away from commercial product design and prefers ecological and economical concepts that reflect the need for sustainability. The exhibition presents social and methodological innovation design ideas through the works of contemporary designers, architects and artists across Europe.

Concept

The exhibits approach the theme of the exhibition in many ways. We created a single family of exhibition platforms to present various objects, photographs, textile collection as well as films or software. We strived to propose a system which would unite the subdivided space of the exhibition and let the exhibits stand out at the same time. An organic landscape of cells made of the exhibition panels with varying shapes and dimensions was created. We embraced the spirit of the exhibition – modularity and repeated use – and applied it to the exhibition premises. The panels were created with parametric procedures in order to respect the scope of the exhibits as well as to the space of the gallery.

Design process

We assigned size, tilt, and height to each cell in relation to its position and role in space. Using our own parametric design software, we generated the top wooden boards together with their steel bases. The shape and distribution are visually complicated, but at the same time optimized for the efficient use of material while maintaining maximum load capacity.

The panels were designed as the cells of one organism. Their tilt and size were subordinate to an imaginary wavy surface formed by several interlocking polygonal segments.

We used parametric software to generate the display panels and their plinths. We approached the plinths as a formal experiment – round shapes of the cells fitting each other are in contrast with a forest of thin sharp inclined legs with no regularity or order. Despite that, they were optimized for structural and material efficiency. Although they create a well-matching puzzle, all exhibition platforms are unique with their size, inclination and height meeting the needs of the exhibit placed on their top.

Technological solution

We provided the production of the exhibition system, milling, laser cutting and welding of materials, as well as the graphics and print of the information system. We transported and installed the exhibition into the gallery. The delivery also included the coordination of thirty exhibiting authors so that all parts of the whole exhibition would fit together to create an attractive and understandable project.

Material and production

  • 55 display panels of various sizes
  • milled plywood boards
  • steel bases
  • projectors and video players with automatic playback without interfering elements
  • built-in tablets inside the display panels
  • design ready for easy transport and reinstallation in different spaces

We provided a turnkey solution, which in this case meant not only the design and implementation, but also data collection, communication with exhibitors, transport, installation in the exhibition space, maintenance, and disassembly. There was a great interest in the exhibition in both, Bratislava and Vienna and it received positive feedback. We were very pleased that our architectural approach itself was presented as one of the works of the exhibition.

We implemented diagrams, labels, and graphics directly on the material using UV printing technology. This is how we achieved the expression of a clean, natural-looking solution without disturbing interventions.

We gave the panels a finish which softened the drawing of the wood and achieved scratch resistance.

Public presentation

  • Galéria Satelit, 2019, Bratislava

    The premiere of the exhibition was in the Satellite gallery of the Slovak Design Center in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Public presentation

  • MAK - Museum für angewandte Kunst, 2020, Vienna

    The exhibition was presented in an adapted form at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna, Austria.