The Rubik Universe Goes on Tour

Rubik Traveling Exhibition is a modular exhibition presenting Ernő Rubik’s way of thinking and the world of the Cube. The space design project was developed for venues in Tokyo, New York, Helsinki and Seoul, requiring a system that could adapt quickly to changing spatial conditions.

Compact box modules form the basis of the exhibition and can be rearranged for each venue. Graphic panels can be replaced for different languages and local content. Building on a MOME course project, Planbureau developed the curatorial concept, technical design and production system.

Client

Industry

Product

Location

Timeline

Servces

MOME

Culture / Exhibition

Traveling Exhibition

Tokyo; New York; Helsinki; Seoul

6 months in 2024

Design Strategy
Concept Development
Space Design
Prototyping
Design Engineering
Visualisation
Art Direction
Communication Design

One Exhibition, Many Venues

A traveling exhibition needs to remain recognisable while adapting to venues with very different dimensions and layouts. Conventional site-specific installations are difficult to transport, rebuild and reuse, making repeated international installation inefficient.

The system therefore had to travel compactly, install quickly and withstand repeated use. At the same time, it needed to communicate the Rubik universe consistently across different cultural and spatial contexts.

Fixed Identity, Changing Space

The main challenge was to create a modular system that could adapt to spaces of different sizes without losing its visual identity. Module dimensions, connections, structural stability and packing efficiency had to be developed as one system.

Planbureau also addressed assembly and on-site logistics. Graphic content needed to be replaceable for different languages and locations. The strong character of Rubik had to remain visible while keeping production simple and installation fast.

A Modular Rubik Universe

The exhibition is built from combinable box modules whose geometry translates the logic of the Rubik’s Cube into a spatial system. The elements pack compactly, assemble quickly and can be rearranged according to the proportions of each venue.

Texts and graphics are applied using adhesive-free nano film, allowing content to be replaced for different languages and locations. The same exhibition system can therefore travel between Tokyo, New York, Helsinki and Seoul while maintaining a consistent identity.