Olympia has revealed the first images of “Off The Shelf”, a large and playful structure created by renowned artist and craftsperson Rio Kobayashi and award-winning engineering firm Webb Yates.

Specially commissioned for the 2024 London Design Festival, “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.

Running from Saturday 14 September to Friday 28 February 2024, with daily hours from 10AM – 6PM, the space will play host to a series of exhibitions, workshops and activities as part of a programme entitled “On The Shelf”. Exploring traditional craftsmanship through the latest design techniques, the structure itself takes inspiration from the iconic glass, Victorian exhibition halls of Olympia, combined with the traditional Japanese wooden homes of Kobayashi’s childhood.

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. A definitive step into Olympia’s future of showcasing world-class imagination and originality.