The Closet Gallery, London

Architect: Sam Causer
Designer: Simon Fujiwara
Type of works: design, manufacture and installation of Formica^® Compact laminate for door facings and wall panelling.

As part of the biennial London Festival of Architecture 2008, The Architecture Foundation launched The Closet Gallery. The Closet was conceived by artist Simon Fujiwara, and designed and produced with architect Sam Causer. This innovative installation was created in a railway arch near London Bridge station. Equal parts sculpture and gallery, The Closet was created using Formica^® Compact in Polar White. This material provided a robust structural element for the doors and panelling.

The Architecture Foundation is the UK’s leading independent architecture centre and The Closet Gallery showcased a revolving programme of three exhibitions which took an innovative look at perennial subjects involving both the history and future of the built environment. It was felt that Formica Limited has played an important part in this, from the 1960s to the coming generation and beyond, making Formica^® surfacing materials the preferred choice for this installation.

Formica Compact is a solid core laminate, available up to a 20mm thickness with solid structural properties. It is ideally suited to high impact environments, or those which experience humidity such as public washrooms. It can be used for lockers, cubicles and benches and is available
in over 300 colours and designs.

The Closet Gallery remained open during the Festival’s duration. Architect Sam Causer commented: “We were grateful for the help given by Formica Limited for this project, The Architecture Foundation is delighted with it and I’m pleased to say that it’s way surpassed their expectations.”

Formica Compact does not require any substrate support in thicknesses over 6mm and its decorative Black core can be machined to create striking features. Formica Compact grade is also available with Chemtop2™ technology, an advanced chemical-resistant surface that is ideal for high-stress environments where destructive or other staining substances and chemicals may be used.