Belgium – Architect Didier Fiúza Faustino, best known for his work on the relationship between body and space, has unveiled a lounge, bar and restaurant space that is free from traditional markers of personal and social identity.
The physical space has been designed as a neutral environment to inspire interaction and exchanges between visitors. ‘During a time where social, sexual and gender identities are upturned and questioned, how may one provide a space which is both neutral and sensual, a space free from social markers, without tailoring to a singular identity?’, asks Faustino. Spanning a 360-square-metre area, the location is divided into three spaces – the entrance, an adjoining bar and a smaller open space – which redefine the use and the volumes of such typical social spaces.
In an age of Neutral Culture, brands are challenging rigid classifications of identity markers, replacing them with visions of identity that are more personal and nuanced.