The Sea by Clap Studio at World Design Capital Valencia 2022

06/05/2021 - The Sea: this is the name of the new installation designed by the Clap Studio on the occasion of the World Design Capital Valencia 2022, a new space in the city inspired by the Mediterranean Sea.

A new hyperfunctional installation that will become the meeting point for all kinds of local and international audiences; a place to celebrate and appreciate Valencian design, in which to educate and bring the creativity and value of the discipline to society as a whole. Clap has designed a temporary installation that can be transformed and adapted to the needs of each activity and in which, moreover, once a month, World Design Capital Valencia 2022 audiovisual contents will be filmed, by way of a television studio. 

The Sea arises from the context of the installation: inside the iconic Veles e Vents building of Valencia Marina, projected by the renowned architect David Chipperfield, and located beside the Mediterranean Sea. Inspired by the shape of the waves, Clap Studio has created a conceptual sea made from superimposed modular pieces, generating different opacities, different depths in the sea itself. Furthermore, the studio has designed the ambient lighting of the space by using integrated spherical lamps which simulate jellyfish suspended in the sea. More than a space, The Sea is a functional and especially re-convertible system. It comprises just 3 different modules: easy to assemble, disassemble and transport. The premise of versatility and easy assembly and disassembly inspired the studio to think about democratic and light materials together with simple joining systems. For the seats, Clap decided to give a new use to agglomerated fire-resistant foam pieces made from recycled materials which are usually used in construction. In this case, the studio decided to use them as seat cushions and to attach them to the system by means of two simple straps.

The Sea becomes a permeable space that is more or less opaque according to the composition of the modules and the position of the spectator. The set of grids creates different depths and plays with the public who, when entering the space, appear to be submerged under the sea. Thus, a new open space is born, which will favour the exchange of knowledge, inspire very diverse audiences and act as a setting to celebrate the fact that Valencia is World Design Capital 2022.

The project has been developed with the support of the Valencian Institute for Business Competitiveness (IVACE Internacional) and the Local Authority of Valencia.

Project: The Sea
A space of World Design Capital Valencia 2022  
Design: Clap Studio  
Photography: David Zarzoso 
Location: Veles e Vents building, Valencia Marina