Within the framework of the PRACTISING HUE+ exhibition, cac.architects conceived a display system to present architectural models and panels contributed by participating studios. The task posed a particular challenge, as the number and specifications of the exhibits varied widely. Instead of pursuing an industrially produced solution, the architects turned to local craftsmen, choosing steel as the primary material and relying on handmade fabrication. This approach not only reduced costs but also preserved a sense of familiarity and intimacy throughout the process.
The system was guided by clear principles. It had to be simple to assemble, disassemble, and fold for ease of transport and storage. The base and tabletop could be expanded from one to three planes, accommodating displays of different scales. Panel frames were designed with adjustable dimensions to support formats from A2 to A0, adaptable for both horizontal and vertical orientations, with height modifications as required. To complete the structure, an integrated LED lighting system was concealed within hollow steel tubes, ensuring both technical precision and aesthetic refinement.
In terms of materiality, the system employs powder-coated steel, combining hollow D16 tubes with solid D12 bars for the frame, while 2-millimeter-thick plates measuring 500 by 500 millimeters form the tabletops.
Conceived beyond the immediate demands of the exhibition, the rack was imagined as a versatile piece of furniture. It can function as a study desk, a dressing table when paired with a mirror, or a product display stand in a range of exhibition settings. This flexibility embodies the ambition to transform what was designed for a temporary event into a long-lasting, autonomous object with a life of its own.
More than a solution for a single occasion, the structure is inherently expandable, customizable, and capable of being adapted with additional materials to serve new functions in the future. Its open-ended nature ensures it is not bound to the framework of one exhibition but instead evolves as a platform, inviting further reinterpretation and creative input from multiple perspectives.
PRACTISING HUE+ exhibition, documented by hay.architects
Practising Hue+ embodies a vision of a creative community where architectural studios in Hue come together to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and support one another, fostering collective growth within Vietnam. Conceived as an open and interdisciplinary network, it operates at the intersection of architecture, art, and culture. More than a platform for professional exchange, it is a space where ideas are ignited and local values are recognized, celebrated, and carried forward.