Project 01

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Temporary Exhibition - Case Study Houses

Lightweight exhibition for flexible spaces.

The Assignment:
The assignment required designing an exhibition based on a specific theme. For this project, I chose to focus on Case Study Houses. The goal of the assignment was to create an exhibition concept that could be applied in different settings without permanently altering or affecting the existing condition of the room in which it would be installed. This requirement placed strong emphasis on flexibility, adaptability, and reversibility within the design.

Case Study Houses refer to an experimental residential architecture program initiated in 1945 by Arts & Architecture magazine in the United States. The program aimed to address the housing shortage following World War II by encouraging architects to design affordable, modern homes using innovative materials and construction techniques. Many of these houses explored open floor plans, strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, modular construction, and lightweight materials such as steel, glass, and prefabricated components. Architects like Charles and Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig, and Richard Neutra contributed to the program, creating homes that became iconic examples of mid-century modern architecture. These houses were not only functional living spaces but also experimental prototypes that influenced residential design for decades.

In response to this theme, the exhibition design focused heavily on compatibility and lightness of materials. The structures were conceived to be modular, easy to assemble, and removable without leaving traces in the space. Lightweight materials such as aluminum frames, translucent panels, and suspended elements were considered to reflect the architectural principles of the Case Study Houses themselves. Transparency and openness were also important design drivers, allowing visitors to experience the exhibition in a fluid and unobstructed way, similar to how Case Study Houses emphasize openness and continuity.

The concept:
During my research, I found that many Case Study Houses were designed based on the principle of an imaginary grid. This grid functioned as an underlying system that determined proportions, structure, and spatial organization. I wanted to make this grid visible in the exhibition space and use it as the benchmark for every design choice I made.

The grid became the guiding element of the entire exhibition. Every wall and furniture piece was designed to fit the proportions of the grid, both in height and width, and positioned along the seams of the different squares. By doing this, the exhibition reflects the modular and structured approach that is typical for Case Study Houses, while also creating a clear and coherent spatial layout.

I also quickly decided to create an interactive exhibition where visitors gradually learn about the topic by completing different tasks throughout the space. The room was divided into several “islands,” each focusing on a different experiment or aspect of Case Study House design. These islands guide visitors through the exhibition while allowing them to explore the theme in a hands-on way.

For example, one of the islands features a large screen displaying an image of one of the Case Study Houses. Next to the screen hangs a clock that visitors can adjust. By changing the time, the lighting in the room gradually evolves, allowing visitors to experience how natural light interacts with the space throughout the day. Through this interaction, visitors come to realize that designers of Case Study Houses paid close attention to how light enters and shapes the space at different times of day.

Inspirational Pictures Existing Case Study Houses:

Portfolio.