“Recycled Woolen Island” is the installation designed by Patricia Urquiola in collaboration with Gan, Spanish brand of handmade carpets that has been working for years with international designers. The exhibition, open until 18 April, is held at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, as part of the 2020-21 Triennial.

Starting from an everyday and simple gesture such as dropping socks on the floor, the Spanish architect and designer creates an island of recycled wool, trying to find a new idea of beauty that starts from waste materials. Large-scale socks occupy the floor of the main hall, serving as mobile modular seating that visitors can move around.

The pieces are covered with felt made from discarded or surplus wool: the material thus processed generates a Venetian terrazzo texture, also seen in the bands on the walls.