The 2015 City of Dreams Pavilion has awarded two architectural firms including spanish architect Izaskun Chinchilla based both in Madrid and London with her proposal Organic Growth, and BanG studio based in New York and with their proposal Billion Oyster Pavilion.
The competition looks for eco-friendly proposals with zero impact for the environment as well as new ways of design and construction systems.
Izaskun Chinchilla's proposal consists on the re-utilization of a number of wheels, tripods and umbrellas for the creation of a new structure with an "organic growth" which it is extended 92,5 sqm creating a cover for outside activities.
With 4,89 meters height, the proposal looks for inspiration into natural structures in order to propose one of those kinds of growing which attempt to adapt their shapes to any situation, no matter the final shape.
Description of the project by Izaskun Chinchilla
CONCEPT
Our pavilion states the ‘city of dreams’, the ‘city of tomorrow’ will have learnt further lessons from nature. We have carefully studied natural structures that can grow up and down to adapt context and time circumstances. The morphology of the hydrangea plan has been particularly useful. Mophead flowers are large round flower heads resembling domes. The number of mophead flowers that can be found in a plant depends on the age, orientation, humidity, light or quality of the soil among others. The plant grows keeping a good balance with the environment. Shouldn’t the ‘city of dreams’ do the same?. Architecture has to learn to adapt to uncertain budgets, social changing requirements and ecological dynamics. The philosophy of an organic growth: keeping ideas flexible so that can be adapted to real necessities, becomes crucial. This logic also provides a biophilic aspect to our proposal. Learning from nature helps taking care of human wellbeing naturally, beautifully and intuitively.
CRADLE TO CRADLE LOGIC.
We have only considered materials with an environmentally friendly production. All the pieces included in this design can be already used before assemble. Broken umbrellas, old stools or crashed bicycle wheels are all useful. There are already several institutions in NY recycling bicycles and furniture that can provide used units. Although we are very happy to discuss any decision about pavilion reuse with FIGMENT/ENYA/SEAoNY we find it fundamental to provide options. We think reusing isolated elements is much more viable than reusing the pavilion as a whole and that’s also why our design is formed by self supported smaller units. Branches composed by several umbrellas and tripods, as well as stools, can be easily reused as sun, wind and rain protectors in windows, terraces or outdoor spaces all around the city. Bigger elements can be beautiful indoor chandeliers. Both elements can be useful for community centres or NGOs.
CREDITS. DATA SHEET.-
Architect.- Izaskun Chinchilla.
Collaborators.- Alejandro Espallargas, Adriana Cabello, Alfonso Aracil, Roberto Marín, Sally Hart, Antonio Abellán, Javier Esquivas and José Carrasco.
Students.- José Luis Fernández, Marcos Antón and María Bernardo.
Location.- New York, USA.
Date.- October to November 2014 (design).
Surface.- 92,5 sqm.
Height.- 4,89 m.
Main materials.- Umbrellas, tripods and wheels.
Use.- Outside activites pavilion.
