Paper-inspired design for a contemporary art fair of works on paper.
Winner: Best of Canada Design Competition
Winner: Muse Design Award - Silver - Pop-ups & Temporary
Papier is one of the largest art fairs of its kind in North America. The event is an important driver of contemporary Canadian art and features nearly 40 galleries and 300 artists each year.
Inspired by the physical context of Papier 15, three floors of huge, uncluttered industrial floors, and the event's theme of paper as a medium, the design takes advantage of the building while creating the effervescent atmosphere characteristic of this type of fair.
Separations made of paper strips allow the spaces to be subdivided by partial visual closures, while maintaining the perception of the size of the space.
The system, made of bond paper, adjustable formwork support posts and magnets, also echoes the horizontal window strip present on all facades. A single circulation loop runs around the perimeter of the floors, reserving the center for services and storage, making orientation simple and fluid. Red carpets lead to the vertical circulations in the service core. This layout also allows visitors to take advantage of the unobstructed views of the city, which interact with the works throughout the visit.
