Project Transˈfɪɡə

The Certosa Initiative takes over an industrial hall, named ‘The Cathedral’ for its monumental scale. As is, the Cathedral seems unsuited to a multi-exhibitor design exhibition such as new kid on the block Certosa initiative. And that’s just how Amsterdam architects Beyond Space like their challenges. Facing the colossal task of conjuring up this complex project with a multitude of parties and moving parts on an unforgiving timeline is not for everyone.

Beyond Space founding partner en Certosa Initiative Remi Versteeg remarks: “To us, it is a grand scale transformation, regardless of whether we’re making permanent or temporary architecture. We organise the space, the signage, the routing, and transform it into a striking visual and spatial experience for both our exhibitors and visitors.”

A decidedly architectural intervention makes it so: Beyond Space deploys floor-to-ceiling, semi-transparent cloth to divvy up the vast space into a series of more intimate, serene exhibitor rooms, each measuring 9x9x9 metres. The visitor can see from one cube to the next, maybe even the next, but the layering of cloth eventually draws a veil over what lies just beyond. “Like that, the visitor manages to avoid the cacophony of different design objects competing not only with each other, but also against the vastness of the space.”, adds Versteeg.