Overview

Ex.sy is a modular exhibition system designed for The Exchange Gallery at Docklands, created to support RMIT University’s annual graduate design showcase. The venue hosts many types of events throughout the year, which required an adaptable system that could meet diverse functional and technical demands.

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Problem

The existing multipurpose space lacked a flexible structure capable of accommodating the wide variety of graduate projects on display. A system was needed that could adapt to different disciplines, meet spatial constraints, and be assembled and stored efficiently.

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Research Insights

Site analysis and activity zoning helped define how the exhibition space needed to function. User research across fashion, industrial design, architecture, game design, and related fields revealed varied display needs. This highlighted the importance of modularity, adaptability, and lightweight components. The final direction emphasized a system that was easy to assemble, reconfigure, and dismantle while supporting creative expression across disciplines.

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Solution

A lightweight, modular system built on a 200mm × 200mm grid, comprising interchangeable frames, panels, footings, and joinery. The kit includes brushed aluminum pipe frames, A1 and A0 polycarbonate sheets, acoustic boards, grid-marked plywood tabletops, and custom concrete footings for stability. The system allows for numerous configurations, documented in a comprehensive catalog that guides users through possible iterations.

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Designed, fabricated, and delivered in six weeks by a team of ten designers in collaboration with Lendlease Construction and RMIT University, Ex.sy provides a flexible exhibition solution that can adapt to any project type while remaining efficient to use, transport, and store.