St Luke's crypt with movable Irish vernacular furniture, a trestle public installation for gatherings.

TRESTLE Transform St Luke’s Crypt with Movable Irish Vernacular Furniture Installation

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Written by Seth Sebastian

2026-09-30

Artwork by Willem Pab showcasing wooden structures in the crypt setting.
all images by Willem Pab

In the summer of 2026, St Luke’s crypt in Cork City became the stage for a remarkable architectural installation by Studio TRESTLE, informed by the adaptability of Irish vernacular furniture. Known as “settle,” this innovative project merges traditional functionality with modern adaptability to create a public interior that redefines communal spaces. Photographed by Willem Pab, the structure will grace numerous civic venues in upcoming months.

Wooden furniture arrangement provides a temporary space for public gatherings.
settle creates a temporary public interior for gathering

A Framework for Artistic Interaction Experience

“Settle” serves as a dynamic framework fostering community interaction within contemporary urban landscapes. Rooted in Hannah Arendt’s concept of a shared ‘common world of things,’ TRESTLE’s creation challenges the increasingly digital and individualistic societal tendencies by advocating for tangible public spaces.

For more insights on transformative architecture, explore Modular Timber Home’s adaptive future which discusses innovations in modular design.

The architecture features movable and reconfigurable elements, drawing inspiration from Ireland’s historical furniture designs. This flexibility allows the space to accommodate various events without losing its structural coherence and inviting atmosphere.

The installation not only examines spatial order and materiality but also incorporates sustainability as a core philosophy. Through its focus on reuse and adaptation, “settle” provides a versatile approach to transforming existing architecture into vibrant civic interiors, making it an influential model in interior design.

Installation set in the atmospheric St Luke's crypt in Cork City.
the installation occupies the crypt of St Luke’s in Cork City

Reimagining Communal Public Spaces

As a response to pressing environmental concerns, “settle” emphasizes the potential for existing structures to host novel forms of public engagement. It features a collection of carefully crafted, movable units designed to fit into diverse civic settings—promoting both adaptability and sustainability.

Adapts Irish vernacular furniture to create a flexible public space.
the installation draws on the adaptability of Irish vernacular furniture

Incorporate sustainability further with Lucerne’s Emerging Designers’ innovations, which explore crafting change through sustainable design practices.

Wooden components rearranged to suit various events and public gatherings.
components can be rearranged for different events and gatherings

Studio TRESTLE’s project is a visionary meditation on the role of public interiors in our shared environment, inviting communities to reclaim and redefine their social spaces in a practical and eco-friendly manner.

Functional objects ensemble sets the spatial framework for the crypt.
a collection of functional objects establishes the spatial framework
Objects provide flexible interior spaces adaptable for varied uses.
functional objects allow the interior to change according to its use
Wooden objects create flexible arrangements for communal use.
the objects create a flexible setting for collective use
Material characteristics enhance temporary interior's distinctive identity.
material character contributes to the identity of the temporary interior
Interior organization achieved through repetition and variation in design.
repetition and variation organize the interior arrangement
Installation reconfigurable for various civic and public environments.
the installation can be reformatted for different civic settings
Settle structures provide physical gathering spaces in a digital world.
settle creates tangible spaces for gathering beyond the digital realm
Abstract wooden designs form part of the varied public installation.

Source: designboom.com

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of the ‘settle’ installation?

‘Settle’ serves as a dynamic framework fostering community interaction within contemporary urban landscapes. It challenges digital and individualistic societal tendencies by advocating for tangible public spaces. The installation incorporates movable and reconfigurable elements inspired by Ireland’s historical furniture designs and emphasizes sustainability.

How does ‘settle’ promote sustainability?

The installation emphasizes sustainability through its focus on reuse and adaptation, providing a versatile approach to transforming existing architecture into vibrant civic interiors. It features a collection of movable units designed for diverse civic settings, promoting both adaptability and sustainability.

What inspired the design of the ‘settle’ project?

The design of the ‘settle’ project is inspired by the adaptability of Irish vernacular furniture. It merges traditional functionality with modern adaptability to create a flexible public space.