In the first semester, my initial idea was to create a meditation center as a place for introspection and reflection on self and society in the midst of a bustling city, serving as an experiential hub. However, one of my tutors advised me that a meditation center located in the heart of Edinburgh would not attract many visitors, and that the functions I had envisioned were too complex. The idea of meditation was also perceived as being closely associated with Buddhism and it was recommended to avoid any specific religious viewpoints. Furthermore, because I had used the concept of meditation in an exhibition context, the tutor believed that it should be flexible and mobile, leading them to suggest that I focus more on building sustainability, which is one of the SDGs, in my brief to align with the theme.

With all these conflict thoughts in my mind, I started to think about the possible solutions of my brief changing.

These are the possible direction of the brief developing:

  1. Providing Social and Environmental Value: My meditation center can serve as a resource for the community and city center, providing a space for stress relief and enhancing physical and mental health. This contributes to achieving SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being.
  2.  Promoting Sustainable Cities and Communities: My center can serve as an iconic building for sustainable urban development, incorporating sustainable design elements such as natural light and ventilation. This contributes to achieving SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
  3. Conveying Information through Education: I can link meditation with SDGs by providing knowledge and information on sustainable development, educating people about the concepts and actions of sustainable development. This contributes to achieving SDG 4 – Quality Education and SDG 13 – Climate Aczzaaation.

Based on the above points, I can readjust my ideas and suggestions to better fit within the framework of SDGs:

  1. Emphasize that my center is not just a place for meditation, but also an educational center providing information and knowledge on sustainable development and SDGs to achieve SDG 4 and SDG 13.
  2. Establish community partnerships to promote sustainable development. I can collaborate with local community organizations, environmental groups, and other stakeholders to support the achievement of SDGs.

There is something that I am really confused about.

Firstly, why exhibition should be flexible? Then, I am also thinking that my tutor and I might be just scratching the surface, writing a brief for the sake of achieving the SDGs, and the final product may end up being just a regular interior design project. Then, it wouldn’t have much significance as a final year project compared to most commercial projects. Even though time is running out, I have decided to focus on completing my brief better and giving the project more meaning beyond just a standard project about flexible structures and settings in exhibition design.

After Meditation: Does Every Exhibitions Need to Be Flexible? / Yechen Wu / Interior Design 4B: Design Studio (2022-2023)[YR] by blogadmin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0