ISSO Architects has unveiled "A Nest in the Tree," a striking timber pavilion designed for MUKA's exhibition at IndoBuildTech 2025, Indonesia's largest architecture and interior design fair. The 11-by-17-meter installation challenges conventional trade fair booth design by prioritizing openness and spatial clarity within the typically crowded exhibition environment.
While most exhibition halls favor maximum density to showcase products, the architects chose restraint as their primary design strategy. By creating a deliberate setback from the main aisle, the pavilion allows space to breathe and establishes a clear threshold that invites visitors to experience the structure as a unified spatial composition before entering. This approach stands in stark contrast to the visually dense surroundings typical of major trade shows.
The pavilion's layout follows a straightforward program featuring a single counter for welcoming guests and a dedicated gallery space for displaying MUKA's wooden veneer products. The design draws both conceptual and material inspiration directly from the veneer-making process, where thin layers are carefully peeled from solid timber logs. Using this same philosophy, the architects formed the booth through an approach of carving and hollowing, systematically subtracting and opening volumes within what appears to be a solid mass.
This innovative construction method produces a carefully orchestrated sequence of interconnected spaces designed for gathering, viewing, and rest. From the exterior, visitors encounter what appears to be a grounded timber structure, but the interior reveals an intricate network of voids and strategically framed openings that actively encourage movement and visual exploration throughout the space.
Narrow slits integrated along the facade provide tantalizing glimpses of the interior activities, establishing a subtle yet effective boundary between privacy and public display. These openings serve as both functional elements and design features that draw visitors deeper into the pavilion experience.
Color and materiality play central roles in the overall design concept. Departing dramatically from the natural wood tones typically associated with timber construction, the pavilion showcases MUKA's distinctive veneer colors through a carefully planned layered chromatic experience. The journey begins with a muted grey facade that opens to reveal a vivid red central counter, surrounded by striking green walls that create visual depth and interest.
This color gradient serves multiple purposes, highlighting the impressive range of veneer textures and finishes available while simultaneously guiding visitors through distinct zones of the installation. Each spatial element within the compact footprint serves specific functions, including a welcoming veranda, an entrance foyer, an intimate nook for closer product examination, and a central courtyard area for larger gatherings.
Together, these carefully designed elements define a small but complete architectural system that masterfully balances openness with strategic enclosure. The result is a booth that functions both as an effective product display environment and a temporary architectural installation, successfully demonstrating how thoughtful material experimentation and spatial restraint can transform conventional exhibition design into a cohesive and memorable architectural experience.
