Title of Exhibition: 
PLAY OBJECTS Object-oriented approaches to designing environments of play

Exhibition Abstract:
With a focus on designing environments of play, the work of Imaginary Objects (iO) can often be described as groups of distinct objects coming together to create form and space. This approach makes the projects adaptable, flexible, and translates into a diverse formal identity that doesn’t rely on a single prescribed image. The finished work becomes an assemblage of objects that dilutes the distinction between objects and architecture, form and space and potentially toy and playground.
The exhibition reflects on the work of iO by looking at three distinct projects for play and aims to provide insight into the design principles, the construction sequences and the final deployment of the projects. Beyond serving as a conceptual driver, the object-oriented approach translates into reconfigurability, demountability, and ease of transport. In this manner, the projects can be understood as experiments, each project influencing how the next is approached and configured. The work of iO has been featured in prominent publications such as Archdaily, Dezeen, art4d, DsignSomething, the Cloud, and the Standard.
iO has received numerous international recognitions including shortlists for the Archdaily Building of the Year Awards both in 2021 and 2022, as well as the Blueprint Awards 2021.

Curated by: Roberto Requejo Belette
Assisted by: Lee Man Wai Monique
Design Lead: Roberto Requejo Belette and Yarinda Bunnag
Project Team:
Khomchan Chotivora-Anan Mark, Beam Napat Lee, Mind Thanutcha Pueriphanvicha

DESIGNER’S BACKGROUND
Imaginary Objects was founded in 2018 by Roberto and Yarinda.

Roberto Requejo Belette is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Architecture at The University of Hong Kong. Before starting iO, Roberto was Senior Architect at Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) for eight years. Before joining OMA, Roberto was an Architect at Steven Holl Architects (SHA) in New York and Beijing. He studied Architecture at Cornell’s School of Architecture Art and Planning and at Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation. Roberto is an Associate Member of the American Institute of Architects. He has taught Architecture at Cornell, NYIT, INDA, HKDI and HKU.

Yarinda Bunnag is an architect, singer and actor based in Bangkok, Thailand. Prior to iO, Yarinda taught at the International Program in Design and Architecture (INDA), Chulalongkorn University. Yarinda was also Design Director at Hypothesis Design Agency, a multidisciplinary practice specializing in architecture, interior, and corporate branding. Yarinda received a Master in Architecture from Harvard University, Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University. Yarinda is currently serving as the Regional President of the Asia Designer Communication Platform.