The Intypes (Interior Archetypes or Typologies) Research and Teaching Project, initiated in 1997 at Cornell University, is a study about typology of contemporary interior design practices that derived from reiterative historical designs that span time and style and cross cultural boundaries. An Intype represents an ideal example of a historical and culturally determined practice of design.
Click on the name of each Intype to know more. The methodology of the research can be read here.
1. Black Out
Black Out is an interior space or room entirely consisting of black shades for walls, floors, ceilings and furnishings.
2. Hotspot
Hotspot is an isolated pool of bright downlight that operates in contrast to its surroundings. Hotspot encourages a pause in movement and collection around or within it. It is achieved with a single spot light or a single fixture on a light track.
3. Line-up
Line-Up is the display practice of arranging a series of four or more objects of the same type in a line with even spaces between the objects.
Marching Order is a sequence of repeating forms organized consecutively, one after another, that establish a measured spatial order.
5. Plinth
The Intype Plinth is a museum and gallery display technique that raises a three-dimensional object slightly off the floor (usually one low step). The device isolates and calls attention to the object on display.
6. Specimen
Specimen describes a display strategy in which items are arranged in a taxonomic array.
7. Spectrum
Spectrum is a display technique in which items are arranged chromatically, exhibiting the full range of available colors as well as unifying the surfaces on which the items are arranged.
8. White Box
White Box, an undecorated space with white walls, white ceiling and a continuous neutral floor, originated in 1927 as clean envelope, a bare white architecture. An influential 1930 MoMA exhibition secured it as a museum aesthetic.
Resource
Cheng, C. A. (2012). Theory studies: Archetypical showroom practices in contemporary interior design (thesis).Addtional Resources
Yu, J. (2011a). Exhibitions and Showrooms. Design Media Publishing (UK) Limited. https://drive.google.com/file/d/111WeOE5HrrFHgji7tlBgYtxL0C2JxT5e/view?usp=sharing
Yu, J. (2011). Shopping Experience-Store & Showroom (Reprint ed.). Design Media Publishing (UK) Limited. https://drive.google.com/file/d/110Pv1oyfrohJM8_fj1sbesj6_XghkCR1/view?usp=sharing
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Much love, LS xo