Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica

Working in collaboration with West Port Architects and the Barbican team, Raskl delivered the fabrication and installation for Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica. The exhibition brings together more than 300 works by artists, musicians, writers and cultural figures, exploring the global impact of Pan-Africanism through a series of immersive gallery environments.

Working closely with West Port Architects, curators, and the Barbican team, we developed and fabricated bespoke exhibition elements that supported the curatorial vision.

Central to the project was the custom aluminium box-section wall framework used across all built walls, engineered with custom spring-fit threaded inserts to create an intentionally unfinished aesthetic while providing the strength and precision needed to support the works.

A key feature of the fabrication was the treatment of exposed MDF through-walls, which were washed and finished to replicate the appearance of raw plasterboard. This subtle process allowed the exhibition architecture to retain its deliberately utilitarian character while meeting durability and finish standards.

Alongside the architectural framework, we designed and fabricated bespoke bracket systems capable of supporting substantial vitrines directly from the wall structures. Every component was produced to accommodate significant loads whilst remaining visually discreet, allowing the display cases to appear floating effortlessly in the gallery architecture.

The project exemplifies Raskl's collaborative approach to exhibition fabrication, combining technical problem-solving, precision engineering and skilled craftsmanship to translate West Port Architects' ambitious design into a robust, museum-quality environment that supports both the curatorial narrative and the visitor experience.

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Photography by Max Colson and Thomas Adank