We are pleased to share that our Pop-Up Lab for Bayer has been officially nominated for inclusion in the Bucharest Architecture Biennale 2014. The project will be exhibited at the Center for Architectural Culture in Bucharest from 15 to 30 October.
Designed by SANE architecture in collaboration with Bayer and Ogilvy Romania, the Pop-Up Lab is an innovative temporary structure installed in a public park. Serving as a complementary space for natural science classes, it provided elementary school students the opportunity to engage hands-on with a series of fun experiments.
The 50 m² installation is created by merging three transport containers and subdivided—via a diagonal layout—into four functional zones: a reception area and separate stations representing Bayer’s divisions in health, agriculture, and high‑tech materials. Acrylic mirror panels form an optical kaleidoscope, giving the impression of infinite space. White MDF interiors are adorned with mirrored round stickers of various sizes; each participating child is given a sticker to place anywhere, turning the installation into an evolving, participatory work of art. As more children take part, the interior transforms into a “room with infinite parallel mirrors,” metaphorically representing how science expands human horizons. The installation is both an architectural experiment and a playful interface for discovery, curiosity, and creative interaction with reality.
Being nominated for the Bucharest Architecture Biennale is a testament to the conceptual richness and public engagement embedded in the Pop-Up Lab. The Biennale is a key event in Romania’s architectural calendar, spotlighting forward-thinking ideas and projects that merge playful interaction with design. Having this project displayed at the Center for Architectural Culture offers a unique opportunity to engage the public and professionals alike, fostering dialogue around participatory architecture, educational design, and temporary urban interventions.