An innovative space screen joint developed by Fraser Brown MacKenna Architects as a re-usable exhibition system has wide applications in any open-plan interior. Angus Brown explains how this was achieved

Step 1

We were introduced to the late Jean Sporton while she was a reader at the Slade School of Fine Art, which was refurbished by the practice in the 1990s. The brief for the space screens arose from her retrospective exhibition at Churchill College Cambridge. Sporton was concerned that the usual exhibition screens, formed from painted chipboard, were wasteful and had a limited life. She commissioned Fraser Brown MacKenna to develop a screen and joint system that would:

  • Be suitable as a reuseable exhibition system producing a flat white wall, similar to chipboard, but without the waste problem.
  • Ideally have no joints though 5mm shadow joints would be acceptable
  • Have the flexibility to form straight walls in rectangular, triangular and curved arrangements.
  • Be capable of accommodating variations in floor levels while keeping the vertical joints parallel.
  • Require no more than two people for assembly and disassembly and be durable for transportation.
  • Incorporate a picture hanging groove and light rail.

Pictured is an illustration of how Sporton’s art works would look on the screens.

Step 2

The space screen joint needs to enable the panels to be configured in a variety of ways to accommodate a range of exhibition layouts, such as a three-panel T-shape layout. Another important element of the brief was that there should be no visible gap between the panels once they have been set in their final position. Since the distance between the panels and the pivot would vary with each different configuration, the hinge system needed to incorporate flexibility while remaining simple to operate.

In our first attempt, we placed a series of hinge brackets within an aluminium channel mounted on top of each panel. The brackets were interconnected to allow the distance between the pivot and each panel to be adjusted (so as to ensure no visible gap between panels). A locking nut would secure the brackets into position once set at the desired length, with one end of the bracket connected to the pivot at the centre.

To ensure that the screens remained stable and parallel, a leveling system was added to the base hinge with adjustable “feet” operated by standard tools.

Step 3

At the time, the practice was working on a set design for the National Theatre. Set builders Streeter & Jestle agreed to manufacture a prototype of the Space Screen Joint. During this process it became apparent that the initial arrangement had too many component parts for the product to be economically viable.

We decided to replace the interconnected brackets with a single hinge connector that moved within the aluminium channel (pictured right) and could be fixed into position using a simple lock. To further simplify the component parts used within screen, we used the same screw type for the pivots and the leveling “feet” on the base hinge.

The prototype was very successful in both locking the panels into position and providing flexibility. The image below shows a hand using an Allen key to tighten the bottom lock.

Step 4

The screens for Churchill College were originally designed to be 2.4 x 1.2m. However upon reflection we realised that a smaller screen, based on an inexpensive standard hollow core door, could be used for subdividing spaces where only visual and limited acoustic separation was required.

We thought firms such as Ikea and B&Q might be interested in selling a product capable of transforming a standard door into a space screen. A package could contain the top and bottom fittings.

A major benefit of the revised design is that even when the space screens are assembled, all the hinges can retract into the top and bottom rails, enabling the system to flatten for transportation.

The top channel can be perforated to allow for the clamping of lights and other panels at right angles to the screen anywhere along its length allowing for even greater flexibility should the need arise.

Step 5

Further enhancements are envisaged such as aluminium fabric and glass screens. Screens for exhibition purposes can be arranged in rectangular, curved and drum formations allowing back-screen projection and the concealment of technical equipment. Fraser Brown Mackenna is talking to its manufacturing partners in Malaysia about bringing it to market in the UK.

Angus Brown is joint managing director of Fraser Brown MacKenna Architects.

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