Organic structure on beach. BBC pavilion by Giles Miller Studio and Universal Design Studio

23/10/2019. [Cannes] France
metalocus, ÁNGEL TORNE

Universal Design Studio and Giles Miller Studio, last week, raised a pavilion on the beach front in Cannes, for BBC Studios that fuses an iconic sculptural aesthetic with highly innovative architectural functionality and can be dismantled and reused, and then recycled at the end of its first use.

The undulating skin of the building opens up during the day in a unique and complex mechanical concertina, (a "large-scale organic structure", a theatre curtain) exposing visitors to open views of the Mediterranean whilst referencing the performative nature of BBC Studios output.

BBC Studios pavilion by Universal Design Studio and Giles Miller Studio. Photography by Edvinas Bruzas

BBC Studios pavilion by Universal Design Studio and Giles Miller Studio. Photography by Edvinas Bruzas

The ‘enveloped’ of the structure designed by Giles Miller Studio is foremost a mechanism for controlling the visual transparency of the building, but the sculptural composition of thousands of recyclable aluminum ‘petals’ results in an object of inherent natural beauty. Its structure can be assembled and dismantled in six days, and is made entirely from recyclable materials, with a steel frame and aluminium louvres.

The pavilion was commissioned for the MIPCOM trade show in Cannes (October 14-17, 2019) to entertain clients, showcase its content and "physically embody the brand", a mix of private and public meeting rooms and a flexible events space.

Project description by Giles Miller Studio

The BBC Pavilion, a seminal project that was in development for almost two years, is a large-scale organic structure located on the beach front in Cannes. The building fuses an iconic sculptural aesthetic with highly innovative architectural functionality.

The ‘skin’ of the structure is foremost a mechanism for controlling the visual transparency of the building, but the sculptural composition of thousands of recyclable aluminium ‘petals’ results in an object of inherent natural beauty.

The undulating front of the building opens up during the day in a unique and complex mechanical concertina, exposing visitors to open views of the Mediterranean whilst referencing the performative nature of BBC Studios output.

GMS’ organic exterior is complimented by a sleek and finely crafted interior scheme designed by Universal Design Studio to create a unique and enhanced experience of the building for its many visitors.

The project was led by Cheerful Twentyfirst and Christine Losecaat and was built by York-based Stageone in a mere 6 day install.

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El BBC Pavilion, un proyecto seminal que estuvo en desarrollo durante casi dos años, es una estructura orgánica a gran escala ubicada en primera línea de playa en Cannes. El edificio fusiona una estética escultórica icónica con una funcionalidad arquitectónica altamente innovadora.

La "piel" de la estructura es ante todo un mecanismo para controlar la transparencia visual del edificio, pero la composición escultórica de miles de "pétalos" de aluminio reciclable resulta en un objeto de belleza natural inherente.

El frente ondulado del edificio se abre durante el día en una única y compleja concertina mecánica, exponiendo a los visitantes a vistas panorámicas del Mediterráneo mientras hace referencia a la naturaleza performativa de la producción de BBC Studios.

El exterior orgánico de GMS se complementa con un esquema interior elegante y finamente diseñado diseñado por Universal Design Studio para crear una experiencia única y mejorada del edificio para sus numerosos visitantes.