The Venice Biennale showcases some of the world’s best architects and designers’ projects in different pavilions with different themes. This year the Dutch Pavilion was designed by Ole Bouman and Pietra Blaisse. The exhibition, Re-Set features motorized curtains of varied opacities on dual ceiling tracks that form curtain walls that move through the vacant structure, changing their position 12 times throughout the day. The installation gives a renewed life to the Dutch modernist architect’s building in existence for 58 years and vacant for 40. The architect and designer hoped to manipulate the environment and respect the building’s architecture with the installation. The curtains are a mix of sheers, and semi sheer and opaque textiles detailed with cutouts, applique and banding that move thru the space and create new rooms and spaces as it move.
I love the concept of using soft architecture to reinvent a space. Perfect for event spaces, studios or galleries and offices, but could you imagine it in a residential loft. I would LOVE to throw a party where my curtains were moving subtly , redefining the space from cocktails to dinner through dessert!
All images and video via DesignBoom
See Re-Set in action HERE