Tola Ojuolape Designs Textured Green Lounge Space for Collect 2026

Why It Matters

The lounge demonstrates how digital design and sensory minimalism can transform art‑fair environments, boosting attendee experience and amplifying the impact of exhibited works.

Key Takeaways

• SketchUp accelerated design from 2D plans to volumetric iterations.
• Lounge emphasizes tactile materiality, grounding visitors through texture.
• Design balances contrast with architecture while maintaining contemporary relevance.
• Central gathering space fosters community, inwardness, and relational interaction.
• Minimal material palette creates memorable backdrop for Collect art fair.

Summary

Tola Ojuolape’s latest commission for the Collect 2026 art fair is a textured green lounge that serves both as a meeting space and a display platform. Partnering with Trimble, Ojuolape leveraged SketchUp’s intuitive 3D capabilities to evolve quickly from flat plans to volumetric concepts, ensuring the design complements the fair’s architecture while offering a contemporary contrast.

The design centers on materiality and the senses, using a restrained palette of a few tactile materials to create a grounding, comfortable environment. Inspired by patza principles, the lounge emphasizes inwardness and togetherness, featuring a central hub that encourages relational interaction among visitors and artists alike.

Ojuolape highlighted, “Materiality is really to do with the senses,” and added, “I want people to feel incredibly comfortable, to feel at ease, to feel grounded.” She described the final space as “almost like a tapestry of beauty,” an anchor that frames the artworks displayed throughout the fair.

By marrying digital design tools with a minimalist, sensory‑driven approach, the lounge sets a new benchmark for experiential spaces at art fairs, enhancing visitor engagement and providing a memorable backdrop that elevates the showcased pieces.

Original Description

In this exclusive interview produced by Dezeen, designer Tola Ojuolape explains the design process for her Collectors' Lounge on show at this year's Collect 2026.

Collect is an art fair for collectable design and contemporary craft, hosted by the UK Craft Council over four days. Located in London's Somerset House, the fair brings together over 300 artists and galleries from across the globe.

Ojuolape was commissioned by 3D modelling software brand Trimble SketchUp to create a lounge space using its proprietary software for the Collect 2026 fair.

Ojuolape's lounge space is envisioned as a modern maker's library.

Within its design, the designer focused on using tactile textured materials, such as ridged edges on the furniture and scalloped panels across the walls.

Sage green, camel fabric and natural wood tones were used alongside organic-feeling materials, like Baux recycled wood wool panels, to create a restful atmosphere.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest architecture and design movies: http://bit.ly/1tcULvh​

Like Dezeen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dezeen/ ​

Follow Dezeen on X: https://twitter.com/dezeen

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dezeen/ ​