Long Life Design Exhibition Space
Project Type | Commercial |
Year | 2021 |
Location | Studio 10, Shenzhen |
Curator | Nagaoka Kenmei, Zuo Jing |
Responsibility | Spatial Design |
"Long Life Design" emerges as a thought-provoking exhibition set against the backdrop of our fast-paced, consumerist metropolis, addressing the ephemeral nature of contemporary urban life and architectural culture. With a focus on sustainability and counteracting the disposability of modern design, this exhibition, co-curated by Nagaoka Kenmei and Zuo Jing at the OCT Art & Design Gallery, embarks on a spatial design journey that emphasizes the reuse and recycling of everyday materials.
The exhibition’s spatial design is grounded in principles of sustainability: utilizing basic components from existing, commonly used industrial or everyday objects; ensuring all construction processes are reversible without compromising the objects' functionality or aesthetics; and guaranteeing that materials can be recycled, reused, or fully dissolved post-exhibition to minimize waste. This led to the selection of a Japanese-made PP box as the foundational element of the exhibition design due to its flexibility in assembly and wide availability in the logistics industry.
Inspired by exhibition items, collaboration with local manufacturers led to the selection of suitable basic components from logistics industry standards. Initially, large pp boxes were chosen to minimize component count. However, considering handling ease and ergonomics, two appropriately sized white pp boxes were ultimately selected as basic units, meeting needs for display versatility, strength, and ease of movement.
These PP boxes were ingeniously configured to serve as plinths, work desks, seating, and partitions, highlighting the adaptability and potential for repurposing in design. The layout maximized the use of existing partition walls to reduce construction efforts, and the entire setup was accomplished with remarkable efficiency and minimal waste.
The boxes' semi-translucent illumination under track lighting, combined with custom "plug-ins" for various display modes, created an engaging and dynamic environment.
A unique aspect of the exhibition is its lifecycle approach: post-exhibition, the PP boxes are intended to be repurposed by the public for personal use or continue to be used in the exhibition's tour, embodying the "Long Life Design" ethos. Custom-made tape by Pay2play not only facilitated easy transportation of these boxes by adopters but also left a subtle imprint of the exhibition's legacy on each piece.
"Long Life Design" stands as a compelling exploration of sustainability in the realm of exhibition design, challenging the transient nature of consumerism through innovative reuse and recycling practices. It serves as a testament to the possibility of merging design with environmental consciousness in the creation of spaces that both inspire and respect the planet.
GALLERY
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