In Full Bloom is an exhibition that celebrates the genre of Dutch still life flower paintings, its development, and connection to nature and science. This relationship inspired us to develop a custom material that also connects historical and contemporary innovation in Dutch horticulture and trade.
The free-standing walls in this exhibition were covered in a bespoke bio laminate, a durable, high-quality material made in collaboration with Fiction Factory that incorporates waste products from the flower bulb industry. Tulips cultivated for sale as bulbs are cut off in the field and collected. To make this bio-laminate, the tulips were dried, combined with bio-resins and natural pigments, and pressed into boards. The petals and stems of the flamed Rembrandt tulip, among others, are recognisable in this bio laminate.
The TPD team wanted to challenge themselves to take sustainability in this project as far as possible - aiming for at least 90% bio-based and/or circular materials. Further to the development of the special bio laminate, the hoods of the vitrines were created from circular plastic; the wall structure was existing and re-used; the couch was re-upholstered with wool, a bio-based product; museum walls were painted in water-based paint; and distance holders and art hanging systems were reused existing elements. Lastly, at the end of the exhibition, the bio laminate panels will be turned into limited edition furniture pieces for sale in the Mauritshuis giftshop – making this an almost entirely biobased and circular exhibition.