How the art of exhibiting can elevate an entire space

The “SDG House” in Amsterdam is a community of entrepreneurs, experts and NGOs who are working to achieve one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals. The sustainable development goals are 17 goals put forward by the United Nations to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

The SDG house is located in the KIT Royal Tropical Institute. KIT is an independent centre of expertise, education, intercultural cooperation and hospitality dedicated to sustainable development. Based on a national heritage site in Amsterdam, KIT focuses on key areas where it can make a difference: Gender, Global Health, Intercultural Communication and Sustainable Economic Development. In September 2017, KIT Royal Tropical Institute launched the ‘SDG House’ based in the landmark building of KIT in Amsterdam. 

AKKA Architects was commissioned to design an iconic entrance for the SDG House, that we call the “SDG Entrance”. This welcoming space was intended as a reception and waiting area where visitors can get acquainted with the goals of SDG. We designed two ‘Cube Walls’ to be placed in the entrance. On the one hand, the cubes display the different sustainable development goals and on the other hand, they serve as display cubes in which companies based in the SDG House can present their sustainable products or services. An area of display but also dialogue, information and education regarding the sustainable development goals. 

The design, production as well as assembly of this installation were all made in a sustainable way. The cubes are made of transparent 10mm thick Greencast, a cast acrylic, made from recycled pre- and post-consumer acrylic. The non-transparent cubes are made of 10 mm thick Re-board, extremely light, but extremely strong and recyclable cardboard. It contains no components with harmful substances and is glued with water-based glue.

Fostered by an online platform and a host of matchmaking- and other events, including the annual SDG Action Day conference, SDG House is generating valuable exchanges, partnerships and business opportunities. There are currently 50 resident members of SDG House. Since the SDG house aims at spreading the SDG and empowering as many companies to contribute to them as possible, this entrance had to be more than an entrance or a waiting area. It was therefore designed specifically to engage visitors, foster interactions through the exchange of knowledge, inspiration and ideas.