By Arthur Clay

Introduction

In the grant writing for the PERCEIVE Project, a commitment was made to explore the possibilities of an alternative museum space that would remain accessible even when traditional museums had to close due to pandemic circumstances. This led to the development of the Open Space Museum (OSM)—a public, interactive, and mobile cultural platform designed to function outside the constraints of conventional museum buildings.

The OSM reimagines the role of museumsby offering an open-air, modular exhibition space that allows for social distancing while maintaining visitor engagement. Built on a modular platform design, the OSM prioritizes sustainability, participation, and adaptability, utilizing the Matrix System and XYZ nodes for easy assembly and reconfiguration. This modular approach ensures that the museum remains flexible and capable of responding to new curatorial needs and public health concerns.
More than just a temporary response to a crisis, the Open Space Museum represents a new paradigm for cultural accessibility, ensuring that public engagement with art and heritage continues regardless of external disruptions. Through innovative design and technology, the OSM not only fulfills its role within the PERCEIVE Project but also establishes a sustainable model for future museum experiences.

A Pandemic-Safe Approach

The design of the Open Space Museum (OSM) incorporates essential features to ensure visitor safety in line with COVID protocols. Positioned in an outdoor environment, the OSM benefits from natural ventilation, which significantly reduces the concentration of airborne viral particles, making it a safer setting compared to enclosed indoor spaces. Open-air environments allow for continuous airflow, dispersing any airborne contaminants and lowering the risk of viral transmission.

One-way pathways are implemented to reduce cross-contact, and passageways are sized to accommodate single-person movement. Hand sanitizer stations are positioned at entry and exit points, while high-touch surfaces are minimized and regularly disinfected.

Seating areas, including hammocks and lounge chairs, are designed with social distancing in mind. These elements use antimicrobial, easy-to-clean materials to reduce the risk of microbial growth and are positioned to keep visitors safely distanced from traffic flow.

Fig. 1:Ken Isaacs’ Fun House (1967), exhibited at Open House Geneva 2022. Photograph by Simon Lamuniere, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

To further minimize physical contact, the OSM employs a contactless interaction system. Visitors can access information, interactive content, and augmented reality (AR) experiences exclusively through mobile devices. QR codes placed throughout the OSM allow for digital engagement without the need for shared materials such as printed guides. This system supports hygiene protocols while enriching the visitor experience.

OSM Structure Modularity

Ken Isaacs’ Matrix System is a modular, open-framework design characterized by simple joints and lightweight materials, typically aluminum or wood (See Fig. 1 for an illustration of the Matrix System) . The structure often utilizes an XYZ node at key points, where three structural pieces meet at right angles to form a corner. This type of joint, which was first used in modern design by Gerrit Rietveld (see Fig. 2a for an illustration)., enables efficient three-dimensional connections for stability and adaptability. It has since been employed in various modular structures, including those created by the artist group N55 (see Fig. 2b anillustration), known for their socially and environmentally conscious designs.

These joints, designed for easy assembly and disassembly, rely on straightforward connectors such as bolts and clamps. The system’s modular nature allowed Isaacs to reconfigure it into various functional structures, including furniture, shelving, and spatial enclosures—all without the need for complex tools or specialized craftsmanship.Isaacs’ design philosophy emphasizes accessibility, flexibility, and democratized design, making customizable structures available to a wide audience.

Fig.2a: Bolderwagen, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, 1918 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London; Fig.2b: XYZ Cargo’s One Seater, Image courtesy of XYZ Cargo

This structural system has been adapted for the Open Space Museum (OSM), where all key elements—including the Case Study Elements (CSEs) and Social Elements—utilize the Matrix System’s modular design. The use of XYZ nodes enables flexible construction, allowing these components to be easily assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured based on different exhibition needs and locations.

The Case Study Elements

The Case Study Elements are designed to showcase various research and innovation aspects of the OSM, while the Social Elements, such as lounge chairs, hammocks, and bar stools, provide areas for relaxation and social interaction. Both types of elements maintain structural consistency through the Matrix framework, ensuring stability, ease of transport, and adaptability. By employing simple joints and lightweight materials, the system aligns with the OSM’s goals of sustainability and participation, offering a functional yet aesthetically cohesive environment that adheres to COVID safety protocols and enhances the visitor experience.

Fig. 3: Illustration by Chiara Fedon of the Open Space Museum Case Study Element “HeadShot” for the presentation of ancient Polychromes.

This structural system has been adapted for the Open Space Museum (OSM), where all key elements—including the Case Study Elements (CSEs) and Social Elements—utilize modular construction principles. The use of XYZ nodes enables flexible construction, allowing these components to be easily assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured based on different exhibition needs and locations (see Fig. 3 for an example the HeadShot module, which integrates into the OSM case study element for the presentation of ancient polychromes; and Fig.4 for an example how the HeadShot module was expanded into an artwork titled “The Isis Relfectorium”).

The Case Study Elements are designed to showcase various research and innovation aspects of the OSM, while the Social Elements, such as lounge chairs, hammocks, and bar stools, provide areas for relaxation and social interaction. Both types of elements maintain structural consistency through the Matrix framework, ensuring stability, ease of transport, and adaptability. By employing simple joints and lightweight materials, the system aligns with the OSM’s goals of sustainability and participation, offering a functional yet aesthetically cohesive environment that adheres to COVID safety protocols and enhances the visitor experience.

Fig. 4: The artwork “ Isis Reflectorium: Mirror of the Goddess” based around the OSM case study element for the presentation of ancient Polychromes

Social Elements and Knock-Down Design

The social elements of the Open Space Museum (OSM) incorporate a knock-down design inspired by the Bauhaus movement’s focus on functional, efficient, and accessible structures. This approach allows the elements to be easily assembled, disassembled, and transported using simple tools, reducing the need for large teams and close-contact construction. Designed to support sustainability, adaptability, and hygiene, these elements are constructed from durable, quick-drying, and antimicrobial materials, ensuring both comfort and pandemic safety.

The KD-Rietveld Lounge Chairs, inspired by Gerrit Rietveld’s minimalist principles, provide seating for one or two people, with social distancing encouraged unless individuals are from the same household. The chairs are built with high-pressure laminate (HPL), a moisture-resistant and easy-to-clean surface ideal for high-traffic areas. The KD-Freitag Hammocks are crafted from repurposed truck tarps, a concept pioneered by the Freitag Bag company of Switzerland. These tarps offer weather resistance and hygiene through their non-porous surface, aligning with eco-conscious design goals. Positioned two meters above the ground, the hammocks keep users safely distanced from traffic flow, offering a secure and relaxing experience.

Similarly, the KD-Zanotta Bar Stools (see Fig. 4b) draw inspiration from the Sella Bicycle Stool, designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (see Fig. 4a). Featuring adjustable bicycle seats mounted on aluminum profiles with footrests, these stools are integrated into a modular system of space-frame cubes that form long tables. Each seat is spaced one meter apart to maintain social distancing while providing a practical, engaging area for interaction.

Fig.5a: Sella Stool, designed by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1957). Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, 2013.82. © Achille Castiglioni; Fig.5b: The Knock Down of the Seela Stool shown with the mathcing table designed for the OSM (Concept, Arthur Clay; Design Dario Lanfranconi and Chiara Fedon) ©Arthur Clay 2025

All social elements of the OSM utilize antimicrobial materials such as aluminum, (HPL), , parachute nylon, and PVC-coated mesh, which are easy to disinfect and resistant to microbial growth. QR codes placed on or near these elements offer visitors instructions on their proper use and provide information about the designs’ origins. Through this combination of safety, sustainability, and design innovation, the OSM ensures a comfortable and engaging visitor experience that adheres to pandemic-related protocols.

Wrap Up

The Open Space Museum (OSM) exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to public engagement, blending safety, sustainability, and design innovation. Its outdoor setting, modular framework, and contactless interaction systems address key health concerns while maintaining a dynamic and inclusive visitor experience. By integrating pandemic-safe protocols—such as social distancing measures, antimicrobial materials, and digital engagement tools—the OSM provides a secure space for exploration, relaxation, and participation.

Through the use of adaptable knock-down elements, inspired by renowned design traditions, the OSM demonstrates how cultural spaces can evolve in response to societal challenges. This approach extends the life of ideas that originate in and are passed down through the cultural and design heritage we inherit from others. By picking up where these traditions leave off, the OSM reinvents classic concepts for modern contexts. The furniture and social elements, including lounge chairs, hammocks, and bar stools, balance aesthetics with practicality, creating an environment where visitors can engage comfortably and safely.

Fig. 6a: Lounge Chair, Gerrit T. Rietveld, 1935; Manufacturer: Cassina.. Image courtesy of Einrichten Design; Fig.6b: The Knock Down of the Seela Stool shown with the mathcing table designed for the OSM (Concept, Arthur Clay; Design Dario Lanfranconi and Chiara Fedon) ©Arthur Clay 2025

The OSM also exemplifies the concept of phyigitality, seamlessly combining physical and digital experiences. By utilizing QR codes and mobile-based engagement apps, it extends its offerings into the virtual realm, allowing visitors to access augmented reality (AR) content, digital information, and interactive elements. Since visitors use their own smart devices, this integration enhances the experience without the risk of virus transmission through shared materials. This approach enriches the museum’s content, transcending physical limitations and fostering a deeper connection with its offerings.

Ultimately, the OSM serves as a model for how museums and cultural spaces can continue to thrive in uncertain times, offering flexible and inspiring solutions that honor the past while meeting both present and future needs.