Modular display system

Inspired by beehives, especially for the Hive Gallery

CLIENT: Hive Gallery

CATEGORY: Arts and Culture

PROJECT TYPE: Exhibition display furniture, design and fabrication

LOCATION: Birmingham, UK

MATERIALS: Spruce plywood

PHOTOGRAPHER: Dual Works

APPROACH:

Our design approach needed to be sensitive, authentic, and complement the existing interior and aesthetic direction already established at the Hive Cafe and Bakery. Whereby the material palette and current styling were the catalyst for design decisions and aesthetic direction.

The concept centres around the idea of a beehive, which establishes a sense of place. Stacking and layering were identified as a system to arrange numerous components at different heights and in various ways. We designed a modular and adaptive display system, with a range of dimensions that can be combined to form plinths and vitrines in multiple ways.

The gallery space showcases a changing program of exhibitions across a breadth of contexts, a variety of scales and a range of artefacts. It was therefore important that the furniture was flexible and adaptable to support and accommodate an array of artworks. Playing a quiet, supportive role rather than overpowering or dominating the artworks. It was also important that the furniture was practical, functional, hard-working, and robust.

The Hive Gallery is just a short walk away from our workshop in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. It is a fabulous venue with many strings to its bow. It includes gallery and workshop spaces, a cafe and a bakery with a wonderful kitchen garden on its rooftop. It also provides valuable work experience and training opportunities for students at Ruskin Mill Trust’s Argent College.