Entitled Constructing Atmospheres, a special exhibition commissioned by the Messe Frankfurt for the Light + Building 2002 explored the relationship between human perception, space and climate. The exhibition brought the interplay between architecture, light and climate to life through immersive experiences.
The challenge
The exhibition was spread across two locations, requiring a coherent design concept that unified the visitor experience. In the visually overloaded trade fair environment, the design had to attract attention without coming across as too promotional. At the same time, the complex relationship between people, architecture, light, climate, and atmosphere had to be communicated in a clear and accessible way, while making the intangible phenomenon of atmosphere spatially and physically perceptible.
Our approach
A consistent design language using gauze, bold colour fields, and colour coding was developed to connect both exhibition venues into a cohesive experience. Colour gradients, striking key visuals, and clear typography were intended to communicate the different scales intuitively.
Silver, ADC Deutschland 2004 Silver, 82nd Annual Award ADC, New York 2003 Catalogue entry, D&AD 2003 Bronze, DDC 2002 1st prize, EVA 2002
One Exhibition, multiple locations, one coherent design
To reach a broad audience, Constructing Atmospheres was distributed across several locations: the Galleria transfer zone with its large-scale signage and the ‘Experimental Cloud’, as well as Hall 9.1, which housed the main thematic exhibition. A consistent design language was essential to create a coherent experience across these distinct settings. Translucent gauze defined the spatial boundaries and, wherever possible, was combined with bold colour fields to express one of the exhibition’s central themes: the contrast between permanence and transience, a carefully developed colour-coding system further strengthened orientation and recognition throughout the exhibition.
The atmosphere of a building is a ‘sensory emission of sound, light, heat, smell and humidity; a swirling climate of intangible effects’. Ultimately, it is these ‘ephemeral effects that surround the occupant, rather than the building.’ This is how architect Mark Wigley describes the close connection between architecture, light and climate, which forms the backdrop to the exhibition Constructing Atmospheres’.
Exhibition highlight: the ‘Experimental Cloud’
Twice a day, the Galleria Frankfurt became the setting for the Experimental Cloud. Within the glazed linear atrium connecting the exhibition halls, an artificial cloud was created from several hundred cubic metres of air with varying humidity and temperature. A stable thermal stratification kept the saturated water vapour suspended within a precisely defined volume, allowing visitors to experience the cloud from within. Extensive laboratory testing and full-scale mock-ups were carried out to develop and refine the installation.
Knowledge transfer and clear orientation
Across eight thematic sections, the exhibition explored how humans protect themselves from weather and climate at different scales, ranging from the skin cell to the space station. The concept of scale shift illustrated the relationship between people, climate, and atmosphere from the microscopic to the universal.
Graduated colour tones, progressing from the light tones of the skin cell to the dark tones of the universe, made these different scales immediately legible. A clear typographic hierarchy supported orientation throughout the exhibition. Despite the visually busy trade fair environment, the open exhibition architecture established a strong and distinctive presence within the 150-metre-long hall. Information, interactive elements, and remarkable exhibits, including a Greenland ice core, an African termite mound, and a model of the International Space Station, created a varied and engaging visitor experience.
A dedicated section presented projects by internationally renowned architectural practices from the perspective of climate, responsive design. The exhibition content was developed to appeal both to the specialist audience of the climate technology trade fair and to visitors of the neighbouring Light + Building exhibition.
Further exploration and relaxation
A carefully curated bookshop invited visitors to explore the exhibition themes in greater depth. The exhibition concluded with the ‘Weather Café’, where texts, sound, and visuals created an immersive environment and a place for reflection within the busy trade fair setting. After dark, the Experimental Cloud became a spectacular illuminated installation as part of the Luminale light festival, floating above the ‘Cloud Club’ lounge.
On social media
awards
Silver, ADC Deutschland 2004 Silver, 82nd Annual Award ADC, New York 2003 Catalogue entry, D&AD 2003 Bronze, DDC 2002 1st prize, EVA 2002
Client:Messe Frankfurt GmbH Creative directors: Meinhard Hutschenreuter, Roland Lambrette Designers: Jörg Ackermann, Christoph Alker, Peter Eberhard, Janos Deri, Jürgen Kloster, Sascha Neumann Illustrator: Damir Tomas Cloud installation – air conditioning systems and technology:Transsolar KlimaEngineering, Stuttgart Documentation photos:Andreas Keller, Jürgen Zeller
