Studio Makkink & Bey has built a blue foam diorama for the Dutch participation at the London Design Biennale 2016. ‘Design Diorama: The Archive as a Utopic Environment’ is an autobiographical representation and index, which elaborates on the narrative power of objects and their relationship to the world. The immersive blue interior acts as an idealized version of the personal workshop of its founders, Rianne Makkink and Jurgen Bey.

Presented by Het Nieuwe Instituut at Somerset House for the first edition of the London Design Biennale, the installation translates Studio Makkink & Bey‘s international network into a three-dimensional blueprint made of foam. The installation comprises a space filled with blue foam copies of objects by former studio employees, freelancers and interns as well as products and artifacts from various other designers, artists and architects. Work by and memorabilia from designer Bertjan Pot, photographer Ari Versluis and stylist Ellie Uyttenbroek, artist Yvonne Dröge Wendel, designer Michou de Bruijn (senior designer at Studio Makkink & Bey) and illustrator Jan Rothuizen are all featured.

Alongside the physical installation at the London Design Biennale, a digital and permanent online index has been developed, telling stories and representing the ideals and utopias of makers, thinkers and cultural figures related to their practice.

http://www.designboom.com/design/studio-makkink-bey-blue-foam-diorama-london-design-biennale-09-06-2016/