Ebb and Flow – Noguchi Showroom

This interior design project for the new Akari light showroom at the Noguchi museum proposes a sustainable cycle for an environmentally conscious retail future. Through selections of bio-materials, including mycelium panels, and the redesign of the use of space, we not only emphasize sustainable practice in the design process, but extend it to the retail experience and the post purchase stage. Overall, we create a new retail scenario celebrating the value of both brand new and used products.

School of Design | Graduate Interior Design
Student: Hanjun Huang
Faculty: David Ling
Off-white mycelium panels are suspended from the ceiling supporting hanging lamps. Mycelium platforms undulate along the floor providing display for the Akari lamps as well as providing seating. Figures can be seen in the space.
The ribbon display system in the showroom is made of assembled mycelium panels. Mycelium is a fungus-based building material and a good carbon sink. The slit-slot connection method allows the showroom to adjust the display setting with ease.

The ribbon display system has two parts: one is in the air for hanging ceiling Akari lights, and the other is on the ground for hosting floor and table Akari lights. Both of them are made with assembled mycelium panels. The slit-slot connection method allows the showroom to adjust the display setting easily.

A sinewy display platform site in front of a service counter, both are constructed of mycelium. An employee stands behind the counter to provide customers the opportunity to revive stained or damaged Akari lamps. The employee is surrounded by lamps under repair sitting on shelves.
This in-between space is designed for customizing and/or repairing Akari lights. The public nature of the space makes it a special retail experience. This is part of the post-purchase service honoring the value of used/stained/damaged Akari lights.

The display ribbon is temporarily transformed into a working station for the customization service. Behind it is a recessed and platformed area in between the original concrete walls. An invited artist stands behind the mycelium table on the platform and customizes an Akari light for a certain customer.

The off-white mycelium panels are shown reconfigured from display surfaces to benches and a performance stage. A dozen suspended spherical Akari lights show a dimmed lighting environment.
The display ribbons are disassembled into several long benches for a concert night. Installed with a multi-chip LED lighting system, the Akari lights automatically adjust to a warmer and dimmer tone for the night event.

The island platform attached to the right-hand concrete wall becomes a performance platform for musicians at the concert night. The surrounding ribbons are disassembled into several long benches for the audience.

Review the full project documentation here.
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