2026/03/18
The spatial concept of the Budapest Select – Patterns of Being exhibition, to be presented at Milan Design Week, was designed by the VÜ Architects firm, based on the decision of the advisory panel. The studio’s reed-based installation will create a sensitive, “breathing” exhibition environment in the 5VIE design district in Milan from 21 to 26 April 2026. The project contributes to the international presentation of contemporary Hungarian design, translating the questions of human existence and responsibility to spatial experience and supports the successful showcase of 26 Hungarian designers.
The studio’s work features structural clarity, material experimentation, and context-sensitive thinking simultaneously. Their installation does not merely serve as a backdrop; it provides an active conceptual framework for the works on display. The use of natural materials, combined with the interplay of light and space, creates an atmosphere that both encourages contemplation and opens up new horizons of interpretation. The project exemplifies VÜ Architects’ approach to space: through forward-looking spatial concepts developed at multiple scales, they open new horizons for interpreting contemporary design environments.
How did VÜ Architects start, and what architectural approach guides your work today?
We first met on the first day of university. Over the years, we occasionally collaborated on projects, and then Kinga joined Studio Nomad in 2020. After the studio dissolved, we decided to continue working together.
We have no fixed formulas: we approach every project as unique. At the same time, our decision-making is guided by precedents that we both consider formative. We are inspired simultaneously by the spontaneity of folk architecture, combined with its strength, the structured rigour of modern architecture, and the organic qualities of the landscape.
What questions are currently occupying you in the field of installation and spatial design?
Designing installations provides an ideal space for experimentation and pushing boundaries. It allows for rapid feedback and can inform more traditional architectural projects.
What drew you to the call for the Budapest Select exhibition in Milan?
We were inspired by the curatorial concept developed by Hanna Imre, the opportunity for international exposure, and the competitive aspect itself.
From what conceptual or formal starting point did you begin developing your design?
The exhibition’s concept essentially explores various aspects of human existence and responsibility. We tried to take this premise seriously and examine what these ideas might mean in the context of a design exhibition. We looked for a material that was easily adaptable, created an appropriate contrast within the exhibition space, was sustainable, and carried cultural significance. Reeds are present across architecture and material culture and are an iconic element of the Hungarian landscape.
How can an exhibition space simultaneously create atmosphere and encourage active thinking in visitors?
It is important that the exhibition space establishes a contrast with its surroundings, as this is how it captures the visitor’s attention and draws them into the space. Once this is achieved, the space itself gradually recedes into the background, allowing attention to shift to the displayed material — in this case, the works of Hungarian designers — while subtly narrating and framing what is seen.
What does the use of natural materials mean to you in an international design context?
Using natural materials was a deliberate choice for us. Since the exhibition lasts only one week, it was important that the scale and materiality of the installation correspond to this timeframe, avoiding unnecessary waste at the event’s conclusion. These materials offer a more sustainable solution, and it was also important that they are visible and have a presence in an international design environment.
What will you carry forward from this project into the studio’s future work?
In our studio, we strive to design along timeless ideas, independent of trends. This installation embodies that approach: the meeting of a contemporary design environment with fundamental, archaic thinking. We aim to continue exploring and applying this duality in our future projects.
© Creative Hungary. 2026. Minden jog fenntartva.
