Materials and Applications, Architecture and Landscape Research, may not sound like a whimsical place at which to share a unique experience, but behind that rather weighty moniker, is a diminutive exhibition space that will surprise and delight you with decidedly unweighty experiments in design.

M&A spearhead all kinds of interesting and cutting edge architectural and landscape projects, one of which is using their courtyard to put up two open air exhibitions a year, both of which last several months, are open to the public and very worth a pre or post dinner visit.

Past exhibits have included a forest of larger than life mylar balloons through which to wander, a reed structure shaped like a giant fish trap and a suspended spinning space pod made of sheet metal. The most current installation is a net of blue and white fabric swatches covering the space. Whatever you find there, the materials and vision are sure to provide you some new perspectives to take with you.