Re-Plinth: Modular Gallery Plinth

January 9, 2026

Client

FoFA Gallery, Concordia University

Overview

The original purpose of the modular plinth project was to reuse old plinths, reduce gallery storage needs, reduce exhibition waste and push the boundaries of what a plinth can look like. It came out of a brief conversation in 2023 with then gallery director, Nicole Burisch, about their sustainability plans for the FoFA Gallery. What has come out of it is several iterations of those goals.

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3

Team

Arrien Weeks, designer

Nicole Burisch, director (FoFA Dallery 2021-2025)

Gwynne Fulton, director (FoFA Gallery 2025-present)

Joé Côté-Rancourt, curator in Sustainability and Engagement, FoFA Gallery

Josh Jensen, curator in sustainability and engagement, FoFA Gallery

María A. Escalona, exhibition coordinator, FoFA Gallery

Tom Simpkins, wood shop technician, Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University

Version 3, January 2026

Materials

new plywood (PureBond), metal fasteners, 3D printed PLA jigs, scrap wood for prototyping

Tools used

Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer, FreeCAD, table saw, 12″ mitre saw, hand drill, palm sander

Lunchbox talk: Modular Plinth Project Follow-up

When

February 11th, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Where

FoFA Gallery, EV 1.715, 1515 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal

Event link

Version 2, July 2025

Materials

reclaimed coroplast (corrugated plastic), 3D printed PLA corners

Tools used

Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer, AutoDesk Fusion 360, exacto blade, ruler, tape measure

Version 1 – January 2025

Materials

Old plinth (wood, plaster, paint), 3D printed PLA connectors, metal fasteners

Tools

Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer, AutoDesk Fusion 360, circular saw, compact router, palm sander, plaster knife

Lunchbox talk with Arrien Weeks: the Modular Plinth Project

March 5, 2025

Process

Breaking down an old plywood plinth to test the concept of modularity came with some surprises. Most notably how much plaster and paint had been added to the surface and how thick the plywood was (almost 1 inch).

Inspiration

The idea for the modular plinth connectors didn’t come out of thin air. I was seeing a lot of modular furniture connectors out in the world, particularly the ones shown blow. I bought and printed some of them, but thought they were quite big.

PlayWood.it