Dezeen Magazine

Studio Job's Futopia Faena exhibition includes stained glass windows and a roller disco

Belgian duo Studio Job has patterned giant windows at the Faena Art Center in Buenos Aires with coloured symbols and replicated the motifs on the floor of a roller disco inside (+ slideshow).

The Futopia Faena exhibition presents work created during the four-year collaboration between Studio Job founders Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel, and Argentinian property developers Faena.

Futopia Faena by Studio Job

"The multi-faceted exhibition at Faena Art Center showcases how our longstanding collaboration with Faena has been an incredible series of playful, thought-provoking, and inspiring experimentations," said Studio Job.

The artists have turned the Sala Molinos – the art centre's main exhibition space – into a roller disco.

Futopia Faena by Studio Job

Bright patterns made up of motifs including keys, wings, columns and roses form a large circle across the rink, which is lit by disco lights suspended from the ceiling.

In the centre, a circular booth with mirrored sides provides a space for the DJ to play live music. Singer and producer Henri provided tunes for the opening night, and a roster of Argentinian DJs are scheduled to perform for the installation's duration.

Futopia Faena by Studio Job

The symbols on the floor are echoed in triple-height stained glass windows installed over the top of the building's original fenestration.

These tall, thin "cathedral-style" windows are positioned at the ends of the three branches that form the T-shaped space.

Futopia Faena by Studio Job

Other walls are decorated with images of Studio Job's projects, including the graphics created for the hoardings, pavements and printed material for Faena's construction sites.

Also on display is a crest designed for the company set up by Alan Faena, who Dezeen interviewed last year.

Futopia Faena by Studio Job

"Studio Job and Faena's ongoing collaboration is a true manifestation of the Faena mission to foster cross-cultural exchange," said Alan Faena in a statement about the exhibition. "Faena by Studio Job illustrates the progression of this important relationship, and the roller disco is yet another way in which Studio Job enhances Faena's aim of engaging the local community."

Another image on the walls shows the polished bronze, gilded and hand-painted clock tower fountain that Studio Job created for the new Faena District Miami Beach.

Futopia Faena by Studio Job

Faena's Miami development takes up six ocean-side blocks on Collins Avenue, and will include an OMA-designed arts centre, a condominium tower by Foster + Partners, and the restoration of the landmark Saxony Hotel by Hollywood director Baz Luhrmann.

"For this project, it's been particularly rewarding to translate many of the ideas we've been exploring with Faena for the new district in Miami and to reimagine them for Faena Art Center Buenos Aires," Studio Job said.

Futopia Faena by Studio Job

"Studio Job's visionary experimentation and expertise across the worlds of art and design have been incredibly influential to the cross-disciplinary initiatives of Faena Art," said Faena Art chair Ximena Caminos. "It is the perfect time to highlight our work together as we are near the opening of Faena District Miami Beach in November, for which Studio Job has been a vital collaborator."

A second installation of models, drawings, flags and collage materials features at Futopia Faena to provide insight into Studio Job's working process.

Futopia Faena by Studio Job

The studio's signature patterns also run through the lobby and spill down the steps at the entrance to the arts centre, which is situated in Buenos Aires' Faena District.

This development began in 2000, and consists of hotels, apartments and cultural buildings by architects including Norman Foster and Philippe Starck. It is regarded as one of the most successful recent urban regeneration projects in South America.

Futopia Faena by Studio Job

Futopia Faena opened to the public on 23 July and continues until 3 August 2015.

Studio Job's other recent projects include a table that depicts a head-on collision between two steam trains and a giant crystal-encrusted model at the Swarovski theme park in Austria.