Resnick Pavilion at Los Angeles Museum of Art | Renzo Piano

The Resnick Pavilion at the Los Angeles Museum of Art opened last week to tonne of publicity and throngs of celebrities who were eager to get a first look at the new building. The 45,000 sq ft structure is touted in the museum’s press release as ‘the largest purpose-built, naturally lit, open-plan museum space in the world’. Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the pavilion is affectionately termed the Grand Piano by LACMA’s Director Michael Govan, to reference that the building’s modest size is by no means a measure of its artist achievement.
he design of the Resnick Pavilion is informed by an amalgamation of ideas drawn from a multitude of sources, including the architect’s memory. Like the Broad Contemporary Museum of Art, which Piano completed in 2008, the Resnick Pavilion is built of travertine glass and steel and has a saw-tooth roof that is designed to modulate the California sun - but here they are expressed as a one storey building as opposed to the multi-storied BCMA.....more

Youturn Pavilion Sao Paulo,Brazil | UNStudio

Youturn Pavilion – 29th Art Biennale Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2010
UNStudio’s Youturn Pavilion is one of six ‘terrieros’ created for the 29th Art Biennale in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Located at the heart of the biennale, the pavilion operates primarily as a venue; a nodal point within the biennale's context which provides a forum for communication by diverse means and on different scales. Programmatically the pavilion invites the public to meet, orientate and observe. It provokes interaction between both participants and visitors to the biennale, creating a place for display, discussion, and debate. The UNStudio Pavilion places itself between artwork, installation and architecture; operating as both a form and a functional structure performing as an activator of events.
Ben van Berkel: “It is a wonderful quality in architecture today; that it can perform on so many levels and that there is cultural acceptance again for this richness of meanings and readings. Architecture can have its cultural expression in a similar way to how art is perceived or interpreted. The metaphorical interpretation of spaces can be similar to the reading of piece of art, so the mechanics and the approach can be similar, but the outcomes are of course different.”.....more

SeARCH | Posbank Pavilion | Tea-pavilion in National Park Veluwe Zoom, Rheden

The aim was to make this tea house a model of energy efficiency and at the same time completely transparent to its natural surroundings. The pavilion lies at the end of a range of hills formed in the last ice age, when the earth was pushed more than 100m above sea level (quite an achievement by Dutch standards). From the entrance the floor rises in a continuous spiral that wraps itself around a group of trees ending in a 14m cantilever. The necessary construction is made from steel, for tension, and unprocessed solid oak, for compression. At its most pivotal point a large moraine supports the construction.

The building emphasises the value and power of natural resources and demonstrates the continuing dominance of nature over culture. At the same time, however, what remains of nature can no longer be experienced without cultural intervention. We can always intervene by buying land for conservation, as the Dutch Nature Conservancy continues to do, but is this enough? A much more important challenge is to change human behaviour; by raising awareness of both the power and vulnerability of nature through different media, including the (at first impression) dichotomous medium of building.....more

Zaha Hadid | Chanel Mobile Art Pavilion | Travelling Exhibition Pavilion

Statement from Zaha Hadid:

CONCEPT:
The form of the 700 m² Chanel Pavilion is a celebration of the iconic work of Chanel, unmistakeable for its smooth layering of exquisite details that together create an elegant, cohesive whole. The resulting functional, and versatile architectural structure of the Pavilion is a series of continuous arch shaped elements, with a courtyard in its central space. Artificial light behind the translucent ceiling washes the walls to emphasize the ‘arched’ structure, and assists in the creation of a new artificial landscape for art installations. A large roof light opening dramatically floods the entrance in daylight to blur the relationship between interior and exterior. In addition to the lighting and colour effects, the spatial rhythm created by the seams of each segment gives strong perspective views throughout the interior. The 65 m² central courtyard has large transparent openings to the sky above and is designed to host events as well as provide an area for reflection after visiting the exhibition. The courtyard serves as an intermediate space between the exhibition and public area of the Pavilion. In light of the extensive shipping between cities, the steel structure has been designed to be built in under one week, which is essential for an ephemeral pavilion. With a direct visual connection to the courtyard, the 128sqm terrace continues the dialogue between the Pavilion’s exterior and interior. During an event, the two spaces can be linked to become one large event zone. Reflective materials allow the exterior skin to be illuminated with varying colours which can be tailored to the differing programmes of special events in each city. The dichotomy between the powerful sculptural mass of the Chanel Pavilion’s structure and the lightness of its envelope create a bold and enigmatic element. The Pavilion’s exterior develops into a rich variety of interior spaces that maximize the potential to reuse and rethink space due to the innate flexibility of its plan. The total fluidity of the Chanel Pavilion’s curvilinear geometries is an obvious continuation of Hadid’s 30-years of exploration and research into systems of continuous transformations and smooth transitions. With this repertoire of morphology, Zaha Hadid is able to translate the ephemeral typology of a pavilion into the sensual forms required for this celebration of Chanel’s cultural importance.
Pictures at Zaha Hadid's

Studio Nicoletti Associati | POD pavillion | Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Water droplets in nature was the inspiration for ‘The Pod’ pavilion structure creating a dynamic spherical form resulting in a primitive building archetype with a modern twist. The round and soft shape of The Pod is formed as a series of elliptical sections of variable widths and heights. Slithers of windows brings natural daylight into the spaces below.

Internally the pavilion is divided into two parts: one zone is dedicated to the office area and the other contains the main showroom. The building appears to be sliced diagonally into a series of ribbons which wrap up and over the building creating a dynamic space within, forming a layered protective shell.

The structure is fabricated from tubular steel members with the exterior skin made of spectrally reflective aluminium panels. The exterior skin colour shades change’s depending on the reflection of the sun, dynamically.

The Pod is surrounded by a greenery with a reflective water pool wrapping around the edges that will contribute to the Bioclimatic behaviour and wellness of its inhabitants.

Expected completion in December 2010.....more

Ocean Pavilion for the 2012 Yeosu World Expo | SOMA

"As a major and permanent facility the thematic pavilion embodies the expo’s theme ‘the living ocean and coast’ in manifold ways. The ocean is experienced in two ways, as an endless surface and in an immersed perspective as depth. The plain duality of the ocean motivates the building’s spatial and organisational concept. Continuous surfaces twist from vertical to horizontal orientation and define all significant interior spaces. The vertical cones induce the visitor to immerse into the thematic exhibition. They evolve into horizontal levels that cover the foyer and become a flexible stage for the best practice area. Continuous transitions between contrasting experiences also form the outer appearance of the pavilion. Towards the sea the conglomeration of solid vertical cones define a new meandering coast line, a soft edge that is in constant negotiation between water and land. Opposite side the pavilion develops out of the ground into an artificial roof landscape with gardens and scenic paths. The topographic lines of the roof turn into lamellas of the kinetic media facade that faces the expo’s entrance and the ‘digital gallery’.

The building will be erected in a former industrial harbour along a new promenade. Bridges will connect the pavilion to the expo site. after the expo and the aspired improvement of water quality the promenade will be transformed into an ‘urban beach’ offering leisure activities to the public. The main entrance is situated on ocean plaza, which is partly covered by the pavilion to achieve a shaded outdoor waiting area. The space boundaries of the open foyer are defined by the twisting surfaces of the cones.Tthe interstitial spaces between them frame the view onto the ocean and create niches for the visitors to take a pause from the exhibition."......SOMA

Jean Nouvel | Serpentine Gallery summer pavilion 2010 | London

"It is a building of a single idea and not even necessarily a bad one, namely that every part - the steel structure, the polycarbonate cladding, the awnings, furniture, carpet and curtains - is coloured the same deep, blood red. The distribution of these elements is essentially church like, comprising a long nave, framed between lower side aisles, which terminates in an altar like box of red glass.....

In case we don’t get it, two words have been cut into the red film that has been applied to the glass at the back of the “altar”: GREEN, positioned at eyelevel and SKY close to the roofline. The effect is as underwhelming as it is leaden. The key problem is that the enclosure is far too partial to sustain the basic idea. Nouvel’s computer visualisations suggested a space that had the heady intensity of a photo lab but stepping into the pavilion one notices only the slightest change in light quality. (Are the gallery’s publicity photographs really free from the hand of Photoshop?)"
Further reading and Pictures of the Pavillion at bdonline

Veech Media Architecture | Swarovski Baselworld Trade Fair Pavilion | Switzeland

Veech Media Architecture (VMA) wins the international IF Communication Design Award in Gold for the Swarovski Baselworld Trade Fair Pavilion

Vienna/Munich, August 28, 2009 - The Vienna based architecture and design office Veech Media Architecture (VMA) was presented in Munich with the Golden Award in the category Corporate Architecture for the trade fair pavilion design for Swarovski Enlightened TM. The pavilion Ambient Gem at the exclusive Watch and Jewellery Show BASELWORLD convinced the members of the eminent jury by the way it sets new standards for the term "brand world".

Images here

Competition for Paris 2012 Olympic Landmark | GEORGE KATODRYTIS

"A proposal for a landmark in Paris, made with galvanized stainless steel. Genetic algorithms and programming scripts were used to generate the skin lattice that on one hand appears random but on another it follows a very strict and precise geometry of an envelope. A perforated metal skin defines another enclosure that contains a spiral ramp leading to the top, at the viewing platform."

Images and text from GEORGE KATODRYTIS

Pavillion Design | Pavilion for Madrid Book Fair 2008,Madrid,Spain | Olga + Sanin Marcelo Dantas

In this project, the book became the design motif of an ephemeral installation.

"This intention lead us to the work of Noriko Ambe, whose creations extensively developed this theme, manipulating the book as an object in search of new relations of space, scale, rhythm and texture. The architectural quality of her work was of special interest and influence over our design process.
Of her work we retain above all the confrontation of two rules and opposite systems, intertwined in the same object to create a whole of cohesive expression. It’s that unity that we seek in our intervention. A volumetric and spatial whole built of light and shadow, with flattened surfaces and rhythmic textures.
And so we start making other experiments… the constructive system brought to pure simplicity, the materiality and scale close to the ethereal, the bright internal light, filtered by the same surfaces that appeal to touch on the outside and balance with the wind, and the shadows they project.

The sequence of planes originates a volume of dynamic expression, between opacity and transparency, filtering the light to create a sheltered space, like a small hideout. The external regularity contrasts with the nature of the small auditorium within, where life appears fluid and continuous. Simple as a book, surprising and beautiful like the mysteries they enfold.

Architecture: Olga Sanina, Marcelo Dantas.
Photography: Miguel de Guzman.

Serpentine Summer Pavilion 2009 | London | SANAA

Dates: 12 Jul– 18 Oct 2009
Location: Kensington Gardens, west London
Contact Serpentine Gallery: +44 (0)20 7402 6075

The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2009 is designed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of leading Japanese architecture practice SANAA. The Pavilion opens on 12 July on the Serpentine Gallery’s lawn in west London.

Describing the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion structure SANAA architects said: ‘The Pavilion is floating aluminium, drifting freely between the trees like smoke. The reflective canopy undulates across the site, expanding the park and sky. Its appearance changes according to the weather, allowing it to melt into the surroundings. It works as a field of activity with no walls, allowing uninterrupted view across the park and encouraging access from all sides. It is a sheltered extension of the park where people can read, relax and enjoy lovely summer days.’
Sejima and Nishizawa have created a stunning Pavilion that resembles a reflective cloud or a floating pool of water, sitting atop a series of delicate columns. The metal roof structure varies in height, wrapping itself around the trees in the park, reaching up towards the sky and sweeping down almost to the ground in various places. Open and ephemeral in structure, its reflective materials make it sit seamlessly within the natural environment, reflecting both the park and sky around it.
The Serpentine Pavilion will be SANAA Architects’ first built structure in the UK and the ninth commission in the Gallery’s annual series of Pavilions, the world’s first and most ambitious architectural programme of its kind that annually gives preeminent architects their debut in this country and brings the best of contemporary architecture to London for everyone to enjoy.
Via e-Architect

Bluepoint Sales Pavilion,Phuket, Thailand | Paul Raff Studio

Bluepoint Sales Pavilion
Area: 63 m2
Location: Phuket, Thailand
Status: Built

Serving as the sales pavilion for the Bluepoint Residences in Phuket, Thailand, this project provides an ideal lounge setting for potential clients to enjoy spectacular views while reviewing development plans and observing construction progress. The pavilion’s expression responds to the powerful contextual site conditions. A deep terrace and continuous wrapping wood canopy extend outward toward a look-out point, framing a spectacular panoramic vista. The form is inspired by the region’s first known inhabitants: nomadic fisherman who worked and lived on their boats. Today, Thai fishermen continue to construct simple vessels by curving lengths of timber over a gunnel framework. Their beautiful flowing forms exist as an iconic regional aesthetic. Using an innovative wood product combined with the traditional geometric techniques of ship building, the pavilion generates a unique dynamic configuration.
Images and text from: Paul Raff Studio

Yorkshire Renaissance Pavilion | Various Architects

Facts

Competition Finalist
CLIENT: Yorkshire Forward
SITE: Yorkshire, UK
SIZE: 400m2
Various Architects' project "Yorkshire Diamond" was a finalist in the open international competition for a mobile pavilion for Yorkshire Forward. The Yorkshire Diamond Pavilion is a unique and iconic venue that is designed to represent Yorkshire Forward at events around Yorkshire and Humber or further abroad.
Text and images : Various Architects