Olympia has installed a large-scale playful structure called “Off The Shelf”, created by renowned artist and craftsperson Rio Kobayashi and award-winning engineering firm Webb Yates.
Positioned on the north side of Olympia, overlooking the iconic Grand Hall, the pavilion is constructed using a timber and stone sway frame, integrating innovative engineering with traditional craft techniques. "Off The Shelf" is Kobayashi’s first large-scale installation and represents a unique, creative collaboration, one that rings in Olympia's transformation into a new destination for culture, creativity and innovation.
Rio Kobayashi, artist and craftsperson: "Designing the pavilion has been an exciting journey, bringing together the traditions of my childhood with innovative ideas from my creative peers. The goal was to craft a space that honours Olympia's rich heritage and celebrate its future, while challenging the boundaries of sustainable and reusable design. The project seeks to reimagine the way we build and interact with our ever-evolving environment, inviting everyone to explore, create, and connect in new and meaningful ways."
From Saturday 14 September to Friday 28 February 2024, with daily hours from 10:00 – 18:00, the space will play host to a series of exhibitions, workshops and activities as part of a programme entitled “On The Shelf”.
John Hitchcox, Chairman and co-founder, Yoo Capital, the developer behind Olympia: “We are delighted to collaborate with Rio Kobayashi and Webb Yates on this inaugural pavilion, which reflects both Olympia’s heritage and modern design. The creativity shown here is the perfect embodiment of our ambitions for the destination and, as we approach the launch in late 2025, this will be the opportunity for visitors to get a glimpse of what the future will look like at Olympia.”