2016
WIPO, World Intellectual Property Organization, Geneva
The concept of intellectual property and creativity served as the inspiration for our proposal for the conference center at the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization. The concept involved exploring the boundary between copying, variation, repetition, reproduction, and inspiration. Whereas identical signage panels are typically repeated systematically throughout a space, we proposed a subtle interplay of differences here. Signage elements of the same type but with slight variations are grouped together in each installation area. These informational elements vary in material, color, and texture. This latest work resulted in a series of framed surfaces reminiscent of paintings.
Outside the building, the principle was to be applied in the form of large vertical planters, evoking vases, urns, or jars, with variations in shape that would serve as tools for marking the perimeter and would conceal the safety bollards.
Design Team — Laboratoire irb: Ruedi Baur, Denis Coueignoux, David Thoumazeau, and Olivier Duzelier
Architects — Behnisch Architekten