Space Popular creates carpet-covered gallery for Nieuwe Instituut

Architecture and design studio Space Popular has completed a gallery space for the Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam, using a colourful gridded carpet to demarcate its collection. Occupying a long, narrow volume within the museum, the Collection Gallery serves as a permanent space to exhibit the Nieuwe Instituut's physical and digital collection documenting the history of Dutch architecture. The gallery, which is cloaked almost-entirely in soft furnishings, was designed by Space Popular to offer visitors a cosy alternative to the "bright minimalism" of a typical contemporary gallery. Space Popular has created a permanent gallery for the Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam "We wanted to create something opposite of the usual bright minimalism of gallery spaces and make something that would feel more like a club or a lounge," the studio told Dezeen. "We wanted to create a space that people would spend more time in than they might usually do in a gallery." "The darker tones and soft gradients invites visitors to slow down, take a seat and feel the softness of the carpet and the warmth of the colours," it added. The exhibition is organised across a gridded carpet Working alongside graphic designer Mariana Lobão, Space Popular arranged the entire gallery across the gridded design of a digitally printed carpet. The carpet's design is complete with both a 50 by 50 centimetre grid and coloured-coded portions, which organise the collection into five themed sections. "Together we created a non linear and multi-visitor way to experience and interact with the five thematic stories the curatorial team at the Nieuwe Instituut had created," the studio explained. Within each section, wooden podiums crafted by Rob den Dulk have been colour-coded and similarly finished with carpeted surfaces. These are topped with glass cases, where the collection's physical models are on show. Other wooden cabinetry in the space serve as interactive screens for visitors. Flanking the entire exhibition is a 40-metre-long concrete wall that doubles as a projection wall. Wooden podiums display the collection's physical objects "The carpet frames the gallery as a soft, slower space, while its 50 by 50 cm grid organises everything within it," the studio explained. "Every podium and collection object follows this grid. We feel there is a positive quality to all-encompassing geometries in space," it added. A concrete projection wall also features in the space The gallery by Space Popular will remain open at the Nieuwe Instituut until May 2029, with an evolving showcase intended to "reflect current events". Previous interventions by the studio include a colourful installation at the MAXXI museum in Rome designed to reinterpret Aldo Rossi's architectural theories for the metaverse. The photography is by Special Thanks Studios. Subscribe to our newsletters Your email address New! Dezeen Agenda US Sent on alternate Fridays, this US edition of Dezeen Agenda is a fortnightly newsletter rounding up everything you need to know from America, featuring news, projects and interviews with industry figures. Plus occasional updates and invitations to Dezeen events. New! Dezeen Showroom New Releases A quarterly newsletter rounding up a selection of recently launched products by designers and studios, published on Dezeen Showroom. Dezeen Debate Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly, is sent every Tuesday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news. Dezeen Agenda Sent every Thursday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and invitations to Dezeen events. Dezeen Daily A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen. Dezeen In Depth Sent on the last Friday of every month, Dezeen in Depth features original feature articles, interviews and opinion pieces that delve deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design. Dezeen Jobs Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news. Dezeen Jobs Weekly Weekly updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news. Dezeen Awards News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates. Dezeen Events Guide News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates and invitations to Dezeen events. Dezeen Awards China News about our Dezeen Awards China programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates. We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected]. For more details, please see our privacy notice. Thank you! You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.