Responses by Paul Montie, designer, Paul Montie Design.
Background: The Office of (Un)certainty Research (O(U)R), a design practice dedicated to rethinking architecture in terms of the emergent scientific, social and political parameters of the 21st century, was presented with the opportunity to celebrate its projects and research in the form of an exhibition. Having collaborated on multiple projects, the practice reached out to our office to work on the exhibition design. The exhibition, called The O(U)R Experience, was open to the public at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Design thinking: When O(U)R was presented with a concrete brutalist exhibition space to showcase its work, the team decided to counter it with a curvilinear wall featuring one project flowing seamlessly into the next. The presentation was meant to be cinematic in feel, a free-flow of ideas and concepts.
Challenges: The projects of O(U)R are wildly varying and intensely cerebral. One major challenge was establishing some sort of order to the presentation without squelching the conceptual thinking behind of the show.
Favorite details: We created a curvilinear structure that wraps around the entire space—it even seemingly “passes” through a glass wall and into the corridor. Around the base of the wall is a mirrored mylar application that gives it the impression of floating, appearing as though it’s hovering above the floor. It was a simple but very effective solution.
New lessons: We’ve had to design and construct curved walls for other clients before, but we’ve never done one this dramatic or complex. The fabrication team did an amazing job. All the components were built off site and then assembled in the space.
Specific project demands: Working with O(U)R is always a challenge but always a delight. The founders Mark Jarzombek and Vikram Prakash always push the boundaries of what “architecture” means and how it effects the world around us. It’s a labor of love for everyone involved.
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