BYBORRE X Wellcome Collection: Play Well

BYBORRE developed a range of colorful 3D fabrics that encapsulated the Wellcome Collection’s October 2019 topic of Play for their Play Well exhibition. Play Well explores the transformative power of play both in childhood and society at large.

© Thomas SG Farnetti

Through a range of objects from the 1800s to the present day, this exhibition considered how children learn through play and its importance in developing social bonds, emotional resilience and physical wellbeing. Throughout each section—Nature/Nurture, Toys Like Us, Rules & Risks—BYBORRE’s fabrics played a prominent role as introduction signage, cladding material, and upholstery of bespoke furniture.

© Fang Yu Cho

The unique fabrics are an expression of BYBORRE’s 3D™ fabric family, with its unique three dimensional structure giving volume and loftiness to this unique fabric. Using a durable, interior focused synthetic yarn, these colorful 3D fabrics could be used both for the upholstery of furniture along with cladding small theater rooms. 

© Thomas SG Farnetti

© Fang Yu Cho

The team at BYBORRE worked closely with Andrés Ros Soto, a London-based 3D designer, and HATO, a London and Hong Kong based design practice, to develop the fabric design. The word “PLAY” is used as a design element, creating an eye-catching pattern, while large letters in a bespoke font bear the name of each exhibition section. HATO developed this one-of-a-kind font using letters that children from a neighbouring school drew.

© Fang Yu Cho

This BYBORRE INSIDE textile showcases how our 3D textiles can be incorporated into an exhibition space and in turn bringing a human element to an exhibition that focused on the human nature of play.

© Fang Yu Cho