'OPEN: new designs for public space' Exhibition
A traveling exhibition, “OPEN: new designs for public space” contrasts current public use of space with ideas of potential improvement.
An exhibition at Van Alen Institute, the space is enveloped with color, immersing gallery viewers into one clear spatial volume.
View down corridor of Van Alen Institute
We created a public lounge providing a new experience of 'known' space by selectively reducing the existing visual information.
This transformation of identifiable space was achieved by painting all wall surfaces and installing a new colored reflective plastic floor. The strategic elimination of the wood floor and emphasis on building systems like sprinkler pipes and air duct patterns references the infrastructure systems of the city- wrapping, weaving, and organizing.
View of chairs in front of north and east walls
Displaying information and imagery, a billboard wraps the space, cantilevering from the wall and projecting around corners. The front window signage attracts people from the outside, but on the inside its reverse text represents something greater, acknowledging the relationship of being a part of a larger collective.
Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago IL
National Building Museum, Washington D.C.
Design / Fabrication: Lauren Crahan, John Hartmann, Troy Ostrander, Corey Yurkovich
Assistants: Glenn Barfield, Daniel Berry, Tak Cheung, Anne Guiney, Darren Guyer, Brian Heagney, Jae Lim, Erik Schultz, Gabrielle Snyder, Elefteria Zagoreos
Graphic Design: FLAT