We compose habitats,
places made of living matter and pulsating ideas
for trade shows, events, exhibits and retail.
We compose habitats,
places made of living matter and pulsating ideas
for trade shows, events, exhibits and retail.
The Portal is a site-specific installation for Open House Roma: a sustainable architectural gesture that connects space, landscape, and storytelling, blending technique, material, and ecological vision.
Space, Technique, and Nature for a Sustainable Installation
An unexpected passage opens in the heart of Villa Aurelia, between Baroque architecture and the urban landscape.
Designed for Open House Roma, The Portal is an experiential threshold conceived to slow one’s pace, shift one’s gaze, and welcome the elsewhere. It is more than just an installation—it is a true spatial device: it frames the city, engages the body, and connects gesture with context. An invitation to observe from a new perspective, in a continuous dialogue between space and perception.
Materials and Techniques
The structure is made entirely of recycled and fire-resistant cardboard, selected to ensure:
• Structural resistance, even in outdoor settings
• Safety and compliance with installation regulations
• Reusability and minimal environmental impact
The form is designed to welcome, not to enclose. It does not create a barrier but opens up a possibility. In this sense, the project embraces a lateral vision, capable of generating spatial and perceptual reflections.
Details and Intent
The Portal is not conceived as a static object but as a relational threshold. The structure is made entirely of recycled and fire-resistant cardboard, selected to ensure:
• The colors, inspired by evening light, accompany the perceptual transition between interior and exterior
• The modularity of the structure allows for adaptability and reuse in new contexts
• The perspective framing of the architectural arch restores focus to the gaze
Communicating the Process
On the day of the event, we also set up a small merchandising corner to leave a lasting impression of the experience. An illustrated postcard inspired by The Portal offered visitors a tangible keepsake of the occasion, while other printed materials shared the story of our sustainable design practices.
We distributed material samples and cardboard gadgets carefully selected to represent our values: among them, a small take-home cactus a symbol of resilience and regeneration as a tribute to the day and the ecological vision that guides our work.
A Continuous Workshop
Design and production are entirely managed by our workshop, where sustainability takes shape through dialogue with the architectural context and the conscious selection of materials.
The Portal is part of materieunite’s exploration of design as a transformative practice one that connects places, people, and imaginaries, and influences the circular economy supply chain.
A temporary gesture, yet full of intention.
An invitation to slow down. And to pass through.
