NOT NOT Blurs Boundaries Between Exhibition, Workspace, and Event at Van Alen Institute

The boundaries between exhibition, workspace, and event are intentionally blurred in the latest installation at the Van Alen Institute, featuring the newly launched design practice NOT NOT. Founded by Ekin Bilal and Celia Chaussabel, NOT NOT aims to explore the often-overlooked dimensions of architecture as fertile ground for political and creative inquiry. Their presence at the Van Alen Institute’s Urban Room and double storefront is not merely an exhibition but a temporary, functional office space that embodies their experimental approach.

Challenging Definitions

Bilal and Chaussabel describe NOT NOT as a studio that probes the ambiguities inherent in architectural practice. Their project at the Van Alen Institute, also titled “NOT NOT,” is a deliberate refusal to be easily categorized. The double-negative in their studio and exhibition name signifies a resistance to being pigeonholed. “I think words can sometimes bind us to something,” explained Chaussabel. Bilal added to this sentiment, noting that the “cleanliness of descriptions of an exhibition opening not being a party is already dishonest. I think we all go to these things because we hope it is a party.” This philosophy is evident in the opening night’s atmosphere, which felt like a blend of a design critique and a lively celebration.

A Multifaceted Space

Within the modular exhibition layout, the duo has established a functional workspace. The installation features a range of their work, including interactive video games, comics, architectural drawings, and material design objects such as benches and models. The exhibition enclosure itself is constructed from off-the-shelf modular plywood panels, metal sheets, and cinder blocks, held together by distinctive hand-shaped metal clamps. Some panels are adorned with mylar insulation sheets, displaying pinned drawings that illustrate projects like Bilal’s “Sheddy,” a proposal for an accessory dwelling unit designed as an act of maintenance to prolong a building’s lifespan, and Chaussabel’s “Legslie,” a bench that investigates how perceived “misuse” can unlock new purposes for objects.

The projects on display broadly fall into three categories: Bilal’s “Office of Back of House” series focusing on maintenance objects; Chaussabel’s “Objectiles” series, which narrates the journeys of design objects and materials through space, time, and use; and current commissions the duo is undertaking. While the ideas presented are broad and imaginative, some of the exhibition text may require familiarity with the more technical aspects of architectural discourse.

Practical Realities and Sustainability

Supported by the Architectural League’s Independent Projects grant program, the “NOT NOT” exhibition also addresses the practical challenges faced by young design practices in New York City, such as high rents, scarce space, and intense competition. Bilal and Chaussabel are part of the inaugural cohort of the Van Alen Vanguard, an initiative focused on reimagining cities and the role of designers in public life, which facilitated their access to this prominent space. “It’s this really amazing thing to have a physical space in New York City as a young practice,” Bilal shared.

Their workspace is defined by a long table with a corrugated metal top, supporting interchangeable plywood panels for laptops, working models, and personal items. Translucent reflective sheets hang from the ceiling, refracting views and adding a dynamic visual element. A commitment to sustainability is also central to the project. The materials used for the enclosure are designed for easy disassembly and reuse. Bilal and Chaussabel plan to return most materials to vendors after the show concludes, minimizing waste. Receipts detailing each purchase from stores like The Home Depot in Gowanus are displayed on an entrance wall as evidence of this conscientious approach. Emily Conklin, network and public programs manager at the Van Alen Institute, praised this aspect, stating, “As someone who runs exhibitions, I see all of the waste that happens when an exhibition gets torn down. Seeing Celia and Ekin approach that question creatively was cool.”

Demystifying Practice and Engaging the Public

At its core, “NOT NOT” is an invitation for the public to engage directly with design and designers in their working environment. The arrangement offers the public a unique vantage point into the daily operations of a young architectural practice, a deliberate move to demystify the often-perceived complexities of the profession. Bilal and Chaussabel welcome this public observation as a means to gain exposure and connect with a broader audience. “We are very excited about that. Surveil us, we need the exposure,” Bilal stated. Through open office hours, community workshops, and tours, they aim to reach diverse demographics, moving away from “architecture for architecture’s sake” towards work that is accessible to everyone. Bilal emphasized this point, saying, “We get really excited when a 10-year-old can walk up to the bench.”

The “NOT NOT” exhibition and workspace is open at the Van Alen Institute in Gowanus, Brooklyn, through August 15.

Key facts
| Aspect | Detail |
| :——————- | :——————————————————————- |
| Exhibition Title | NOT NOT |
| Designers | Ekin Bilal and Celia Chaussabel (NOT NOT) |
| Venue | Van Alen Institute, Urban Room and double storefront, Gowanus, Brooklyn |
| Duration | On view through August 15 |
| Support | Architectural League’s Independent Projects grant, Van Alen Vanguard |
| Core Concept | Blurring boundaries between exhibition, workspace, and event |

This development is significant for Paionia7 readers as it showcases an innovative approach to architectural practice and exhibition design, highlighting how emerging designers are creatively leveraging public spaces to engage with wider audiences and address contemporary challenges like sustainability and accessibility.

Source: The Architect’s Newspaper, https://www.archpaper.com/2026/07/van-alen-not-not-workspace-exhibition/

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