pratt institute's graduate exhibition 2014 displays work on floating platform

pratt institute’s graduate exhibition 2014 displays work on floating platform
all images courtesy of softlab

pratt institute’s graduate architecture & urban design exhibition of student work for 2014 is a large-scale installation at the hazel and robert h. siegel gallery in brooklyn, new york. each year the course produces a sculpture that explores digital fabrication methods, while showcasing work from the previous edition. this time round, architectural models are displayed on floating platforms suspended by an engineered surface. behaving as both structural support and also a cloud-like filter, the underside of each base was created with cardboard tubes that guide visitors to specific locations where they can look into the interior. once inside these viewing zones, the models are positioned at an elevated street level, while images of student work from spring 2013 to fall 2014 are arranged underneath, as if projected from the tubes. the work is packed together in clusters to demonstrate the variety and organic nature of how projects are produced within the school’s pedagogical system.

tyvek cladding on bottom rows

the hanging installation is made using customized laser cut mylar panels. this surface acts as one piece, only forming its final shape in tension through the weight of the model platforms. the bottom is clad in custom tyvek panels to obscure the models, encouraging exploration and engagement of visitors.  the interior experience is not only a surprise, but a unique way to view the physical output of students in an isolated and continuous environment.

tension surface suspending model platforms

visitors looking at models

viewing models through cardboard tubes

visitor on model viewing platform

floating platforms display architectural models

visitor viewing architectural models

tyvek detail

project info:

location: hazel and robert h. siegel gallery, school of architecture, higgins hall, 61 st. james place, brooklyn, NY 11238
professor: michael szivos with nitzan bartov
design team: guanxi chen,yong-chun choi, jeian jeong, minji jung, che-chung lin, yung-fu lin, peter liu, sao-wei lu, kesra mansuri, so jung nam, gee-ana sanchez, thea sarkissian, fei-fei song, alaa tarabzouni, sean whalen, ryan whitby
photos: alan tansey

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.