Between March and April 2025, SHAPE24 brought together some of the most outstanding HSC major works across Design & Technology, Industrial Technology, and Textiles & Design. The curated showcase, hosted at Pier 2/3 in Sydney, celebrated student innovation through a thoughtfully designed exhibition environment.
Expo Centric was appointed by Design At Work, an independent creative agency, to build and deliver the exhibition structure based on their supplied designs. Working within a heritage-listed venue, we helped bring the agency’s vision to life through a modular, gallery-grade build that elevated each student’s project and ensured a seamless visitor experience.
Building the Vision
Client: Design At Work (on behalf of SHAPE24)
Venue: Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Duration: 17 March – 12 April 2025
For this project, Expo Centric’s role was purely build-focused. We worked to a supplied design and were responsible for translating that concept into a functional, visitor-ready environment. From layout logistics to tailored displays, our team ensured the space would honour the creativity and effort behind each student submission.
As NESA CEO Paul Martin was quoted publicly,
His words underscored the event’s greater purpose: publicly showcasing the power of next-generation thinking.
The Challenge: Cohesion, Flow, and Accessibility
This wasn’t a trade show stand or promotional activation — it was a public-facing celebration of student achievement. Our challenge was to support the supplied exhibition design with the right structural systems, materials, and display solutions that enabled:
- Clarity: Clear visual zones for each subject area
- Navigation: Logical foot traffic flow for diverse audiences
- Visibility: Displays that showcased each work without distraction
- Accessibility: Inclusive layout, safe circulation paths, and user-friendly viewing angles
Our Execution Highlights
Modular Fit-Out for a Heritage Venue
Using our Aluvision modular system, we helped create a refined, flexible layout that suited the heritage constraints of Pier 2/3. Each area, from entry points to themed exhibit zones, was engineered for smooth visitor movement and aesthetic consistency.
Custom Display Solutions
To accommodate a wide range of projects, our team fabricated bespoke plinths, mounts, and AV stations that supported:
- Mannequin-mounted garments
- Industrial tools like Kalani Thompson’s cordless “Jaws of Life”
- Interactive kiosks for digital artworks
- Fragile pieces such as Holly K’s 12-panel quilt, “Windows to Haven”
Each element was structurally sound and visually neutral, placing full focus on the students’ work.
The Learning Lab
A special highlight of SHAPE24 was the Learning Lab — an interactive space where visitors could engage with the creative processes behind selected projects. Our role involved building out this zone according to the supplied plans, integrating screen mounts and structural elements that allowed for a smooth tech setup and immersive experience.
Outcomes and Legacy
SHAPE24 was a high-stakes, high-visibility production with many moving parts, including a heritage venue, diverse audience, and a display brief that demanded finesse.
Expo Centric’s role? Build it right, make it seamless.
Working under the direction of Design At Work, we delivered a polished, modular exhibition fit-out that helped amplify the event’s impact across multiple fronts:
- Audience Experience: Visitors, from families to educators, moved through the space with ease, taking in each project without visual clutter or layout confusion.
- Photographic Polish: The structure supported crisp documentation, with clean lines and lighting that made student work shine across media, education channels, and personal archives.
- Design Flexibility: The modular infrastructure created a versatile foundation that could be reconfigured for future events or adapted to evolving curatorial needs.
- Collaboration Support: Our smooth handoff and on-site execution helped our agency client maintain a strong creative lead and deliver on their concept without compromise.
Project Reflection: Purposeful Build, Powerful Impact
SHAPE24 didn’t need flash but clarity, craftsmanship, and care. And that’s where our build came in.
From a construction perspective, this was a showcase in precision: translating a creative concept into a physical environment that respected every stakeholder, from student designers to public attendees.
And when the right elements come together — a strong design, a strategic agency, and a capable build partner — the result is a show that resonates far beyond its runtime.