RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION

The historic qualities and character of the salone of Palazzo della Ragione building presented a demanding design challenge for the cutting edge innovative architect. The building was constructed in 1172-1219 and is considered one of the most notable monuments in Padua. Hadid organized the exhibition according to the environment within the building, articulating the intrinsic contextual relationships of her work.

The exhibitions design respects the buildings qualities and history as the program creates Hadid’s distinctive liquid fluidity. The concept lying behind the well exhibited works is an interior urban landscape that should be considered as a large scale installation; a pixilated field defined by algorithmic formulae that introduce complexity and generate an interior urban condition. The existing space of the exhibition area has been transformed into a single fluid uninterrupted landscape that connects through the white individual fragments (projection stands) and clusters. The dynamic form created by the program represents the familiar bold contemporary Zaha Hadid design characteristic. Her organic forms are innovative, as this architect pushes design into new boundaries through new technology and material and never does the ordinary. When looking at the floor plan of the exhibition, it seems as if it extends into the space and prolongs its organic shape. The white irregular shaped exhibition stands stand out of the buildings grey mosaic floor, and lead the way like a valley extends into the mountains. As if the exhibition stands want to draw the attention of the viewer not only to the displays but also to present this historic buildings interior.








yatzer