James Latham introduces Valchromat White Pearl to help realise Plaey’s innovative inter-locking modular plinth system
Traditionally, putting on art exhibitions can be incredibly wasteful, consuming a large number of resources. This is particularly true of sets and temporary installations, which usually end up in landfills when a show has run its course. It’s a problem that specialist gallery and museum furniture designer Plaey wanted to tackle head-on.
Working alongside longtime timber, panels and décors partner, James Latham, it’s led to the development of a revolutionary modular plinth system, which will finally end the throwaway culture associated with this type of activity.
What makes the solution particularly novel is its unique ‘stackability’, meaning each component can be neatly slotted together and safely stored when not in use, requiring a minimal amount of space.
In the words of Plaey founder Matt Kelly, “I wanted to address the challenges traditionally associated with art exhibition and gallery plinths, particularly the offcuts and waste created during their production and how they are regularly scrapped at end-of-life. It was about looking beyond single-use, to develop a circular solution. My lightbulb moment came when my son and I were playing with a well-known brand of interconnecting-building blocks. I thought about how this could be applied to temporary furniture and installations, to achieve something agile and scalable, whilst easy to assemble and store. The idea quickly developed from there, next I needed to find the perfect material to realise it.”
When the James Latham panels team was briefed on the project, it immediately caught their collective imagination. Dovetailing with the leading distributor’s strong commitment to sustainability, it was keen to be involved in such a forward-thinking venture.
Finding the perfect fit with Valchromat
To fully meet the holistic concept, Plaey decided to use Valchromat, a premium full-colour MDF which combines the visual-neutrality, sustainability, strength, and workability required in this niche application.
Plaey was already familiar with Valchromat’s exceptional qualities, having previously used it on a number of premium pieces of furniture in venues including: Tate St Ives, Cornwall, and the Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Its light weight, durability, and attractive appearance made it the stand-out material for this application. Delivering a functional blank canvas, Valchromat acts as an important supporting player, enabling creative freedom while meeting the rigorous demands of exhibition spaces.
The consistency of colour throughout each panel and the ultra-smooth finish enhances the visual impact, resulting in practical and strikingly beautiful plinths.
Not only does the system’s modularity offer flexibility, the ability to manufacture these items in any colour enables customisation to fit the style and aesthetic of different exhibitions. While there are plenty of hues to choose from, Valchromat’s newest board, White Pearl, has emerged as the most popular colour choice, aligning with the standard whitewashed aesthetic commonly used in exhibition staging. The novel system also features easy-to-assemble floor plinths and vibrant yellow Valchromat tiles for labelling.
Assembling a new standard
Designed for functionality and community engagement, the project already demonstrates Plaey’s plinths’ potential to become a standard feature in galleries worldwide, creating a sustainable display environment, whether in a historic art gallery or a modern exhibition space.
Recently debuted at Abbott Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, where it took centre-stage at Ecology Gallery, the plinths garnered enthusiastic feedback from visitors and gallery staff alike.
Matt, concluded by expressing his excitement about the project’s potential impact: “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The beauty of this modular system lies in its ability to adapt to different spaces and needs. It empowers galleries, event organisers and production teams with greater flexibility, making it easier for them to work more sustainably. I’d particularly like to thank James Latham, who donated the materials to get this project off the ground at prototype stage and for its continued generosity and ongoing support.”
The project has sparked considerable interest from other galleries, leading Matt to explore potential patent options and additional applications, including tabletop designs.
To find out more about Plaey, click here.
To find out more about James Latham and its Valchromat range, click here.
To find out more about Matt Kelly’s work, go to his Instagram or LinkedIn.
