outfitting of the travelling BTICINO exhibition – Matelec Madrid
(1994 , 1996, 1998) Batibouw Brussels (1994-1997) Construmat, Barcelona (1995,1997) Eurelec, Brussels (1996-1998) Interior Kortrijk (1998) Elektrotekniek, Utrecht (1997) Saie 2, Bologna (1995-1998) Elettro, Florence (1994,1996,1998) Mediel, Napoli (1996,1998) SMAU Milan (1996) Elettri, Siracusa – Padova (1998) SICUREZZA Milan (1998)
(with G.Cavaglià, graphics by I.Lupi)

With this travelling outfitting, Achille Castiglioni and Gianfranco Cavaglià take on a true modular exhibition system, a difficult task entailing the design of joints, interlocking components, methods of assembly and compact packaging for shipping. The basic module consists in three elements with an 80cm square and 280cm high. A central upright – hollow so as to serve as a duct for the necessary lighting cables and also to allow visitors to inspect the electrics – is made of specially designed welded aluminum components, connected by a trio of supporting steel structures that were arranged to form three equal spaces with dihedral angles of 120 degrees. To either side of each structure are screwed two aluminum L brackets, serving as a frame for six panels used to display the exhibits and the supporting didactic information. The single frame, which can support horizontal panels, is also aligned with others to form strip walls that delimit enclosing rooms fitted with doors, thus creating conference areas, offices and store rooms. Almost like an instructions manual, the design report explains: “The lighting […] consists of lamps applied to each element […] and calls for the use of fluorescent artificial light source with Dulux-L Osram 36-watt bulbs, color to be sampled, placed in the design lamps and tested. Users should verify and seek confirmation that the sources of artificial light do not need further protection if placed above 2.5m from the raised floor. The whole electrical system must be installed according to the highest restrictive standards and the supplier must provide a certification of conformity as required by the different exhibition venues.” The raised flooring hosts the electric ducts and cables, being the necessary summary of the system. The use of the system for five consecutive years, during which it travelled all over Europe, testifies to the success of the design; regarding transportation, the report concludes: “The different parts of the exhibition system require appropriate packaging to their delicacy, what entails the use of differentiated containers. The packaging must be defined by weight and dimensions, in relation to the methods of shipment used by the venues of future installations.”