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Conceptual Exhibition Design
Melville Brand design pitch for
pinakothek der Moderne München
( 2022 )
Exhibition
—
50th Anniversary of
the Munich Olympic Games
This conceptual exhibition pitch celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Munich 1972 Olympic Games, emphasizing its groundbreaking visual identity and the enduring legacy it left on both the sporting world and design history.
While the focus was on the 1972 Games, the exhibition itself offered a comprehensive exploration of the entire modern Olympic history. The proposal aimed to create an immersive and dynamic exhibition experience that spanned two distinct spaces within the Pinakothek der Moderne: the ground floor exhibition room and the expansive rotunda on the top floor.
The design for the ground floor took direct inspiration from the dynamic energy and atmosphere of a sports arena. The idea was to create a sense of movement and excitement, drawing visitors into the space as if they were part of the action. The centerpiece of the room was a central running track, designed to encourage visitors to walk through the exhibition in a way that mimicked the experience of an athlete preparing to compete. The track not only guided the flow of visitors through the space but also allowed them to engage with the exhibits in a personal and interactive way.
Exhibits, including Olympic posters, sports equipment, and memorabilia from various Games, were displayed on elevated pedestals, with the height gradually increasing toward the outer edges of the room. This design was meant to mirror the rising stands of a stadium, amplifying the feeling of being inside an arena. The arrangement allowed for a fluid viewing experience, where the exhibits were organized in a way that encouraged exploration while maintaining a sense of focus and direction. The taller pedestals and boards toward the edges created a natural visual hierarchy, allowing visitors to discover each piece in relation to the space around it. A key element of the design was a layout inspired by a sea of flags, symbolizing the unity of nations central to the Olympics.
For the upper rotunda, the design sought to create a visual and thematic bridge between the two exhibition spaces. The circular, open-plan nature of the rotunda provided the perfect opportunity to integrate the iconic Olympic pictograms designed by Otl Aicher, which have come to symbolize the 1972 Games. The pictograms were prominently displayed on the main wall, visible both from the ground floor and the rotunda itself. This visual connection between the two spaces helped create a sense of continuity, allowing visitors to trace the exhibition’s narrative as they moved between the levels.
Along the perimeter of the rotunda’s atrium, sports equipment and uniforms were displayed, enhancing the connection between the themes of athletics and design. The round shape of the rotunda lent itself to a display strategy that emphasized flow and accessibility. The exhibits lined the edges of the space, drawing visitors around the atrium and encouraging them to engage with the history of the Games from every angle. This design choice created a cohesive experience that bridged the exhibition's two distinct levels, ensuring that visitors felt both physically and thematically connected to the overarching story of the Munich Olympics.
Although the pitch was not selected, the design process proved to be an invaluable exploration into how an iconic historical event can be represented through spatial design. The project demonstrated an ability to merge historical content with innovative exhibition strategies, highlighting the potential of design to create immersive and functional experiences. The concept showcased a balance between narrative and interaction, offering visitors not only a visual but also an emotional journey through the legacy of the 1972 Munich Olympics.
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