Minor 'Spaces of Display'

For the sculptural wall of the 1:6 model, I chose to work with foam as the main material, since its texture and density come closest to imitating the qualities of mycelium. I first cut the foam to the overall dimensions of the wall and then carefully marked, cut, and shaped each section where the volumes of the Contrò and Nodo pieces would fit. Using a Dremel, I refined the contours and created the hollow spaces that represent the counterforms.

Once all pieces were completed, I glued them together to form one continuous wall, then sanded the surface smooth and finished it with spray paint.

This week we visited Eindhoven for an excursion organized by Modular Lighting. We began the day at the Philips/Signify Light Application Centre, where we received a guided tour through the visitor centre. Here, we learned about the different properties of light and how it can be used to influence perception and atmosphere. The demonstrations showed how lighting behaves in various contexts such as retail and office environments, highlighting the impact of intensity, direction, and colour on spatial experience.

Afterward, we visited De Kazerne, where the owner gave us a short tour of the exhibition and introduced us to the work of several designers. It was inspiring to see how lighting, material, and presentation come together in a curated setting.

We concluded the day with a workshop by Modular Lighting, where we explored how light can be integrated into our own designs. This session helped me think more consciously about how light interacts with surfaces and forms , an important aspect to consider for my exhibition space.

Several key references have shaped the concept of this exhibition space.

The radical architecture collective Superstudio inspired the geometric and structural logic of the design. Their vision of infinite grids and modular continuity is echoed in the mirrored floor and orthogonal composition of the space, turning the exhibition into both a physical and conceptual framework for experiencing form.

Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms informed the immersive atmosphere. The mirrored wall and floor panels create a sense of infinite repetition, extending the space and reinforcing the idea of form and counterform, where objects and their reflections become one continuous experience.

Lastly, the Bourse de Commerce in Paris by Tadao Ando influenced the material contrast within the project. The dialogue between the historical structure and Ando’s concrete intervention parallels the relationship between the industrial Selene chair and the organic, bio-based architecture of my exhibition.

During the midterm presentation, I pitched my exhibition concept to the class and received valuable feedback on both the spatial and experiential aspects of the design. The discussion helped me reflect on how visitors might interact with the space and how sensory elements could enhance the overall experience.

After the previous term, I received feedback that my material choices were not sufficiently sustainable. This encouraged me to explore alternatives that could align better with contemporary approaches to responsible design. I decided to focus on mycelium as the main material for this phase of the project.

Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, is a bio-based and fully biodegradable material that grows naturally and requires minimal energy to produce. It offers strength, insulation, and acoustic qualities while remaining lightweight and environmentally neutral. In my design, mycelium becomes the primary architectural element — forming both the sculptural wall and the ceiling of the exhibition space.

Its organic and tactile appearance stands in deliberate contrast to the industrial, mass-produced plastic of Vico Magistretti’s Selene chair and my own cast objects. This material opposition creates a dialogue between nature and industry, softness and precision, and connects the project to a broader conversation about sustainable design and production.

Concept: Forms and counter forms were the key theme in my last design of Contro Nodó. This will also be my new concept: A room designed with forms and counter forms that can be moved and stacked into each other like a puzzle. The chair and designed objects can be placed within the space and will fit into the ‘counterforms’. 

Keywords; Puzzle, monochrome, sculptural

The temporary exposition (hal 1 & 2) Masterful Mystery in 'De Lakenhal' in Leiden. Was a really interesting exposition where they exhibited an anonymous artist named I.S. that was specialized in portraits. The painting style was similar to Rembrandt with a detail for expression and faces.

Some ideas for the 'room'. The sketches I made this week visualize different concept ideas for my room. The first ideas where more focussed on the cultural aspect of the 60’s and its design elements like curves, plastic, woods, and eclectic interiors.