Zooming in: a Berlin exhibition charts the work of Parisian firm RDAI

A new show, entitled 'Zoom: From Object to Architecture', opens today at the Aedes Architekturforum in Berlin, showcasing the broad range of work by renowned Paris-based studio RDAI (Rena Dumas Architecture Interieure).

RDAI was originally set up as an interior design agency, building momentum and a loyal following through a portfolio of impressive retail design work and prestigious commissions for Hermès. In the past decade, RDAI has greatly expanded its creative reach into a variety of projects of all sizes, from smaller-scale product design, to creatively overseeing the construction of larger buildings.

The studio was founded in 1972 by interior designer extraordinaire Rena Dumas and since its birth has successfully transcended the boundaries between disciplines, approaching every commission with an in-depth understanding of its individual context. In 2007, RDAI-Architecture was established as a sister company, headed by Denis Montel, who strove to carry forward Dumas’ ‘legacy of excellence’.  

This Berlin exhibition opens with the presentation of a series of interior design works – notably the Les Bains bar and restaurant in Paris and the Hermès store in Miami. The show continues with a selection of buildings, from the Cité des métiers Hermès in Pantin, France to a residential tower in Taipei.

The exhibit details RDAI’s transition from a boutique firm into a specialised international agency. The narrative covers its journey towards becoming the globally famous firm it is today, encouraging a sense of discovery for the visitor to follow up on the firm's next steps.