Nimbus / The city of Dreams Pavilion

Nimbus project

Introduction

The Nimbus project should channel that ability that New York City has proven to have, being capable to dream about itself and turn that idea into a reality, a place where those collective dreams of its inhabitants can find a way to enrich the life of their citizens.

When an architectural object is thought from the beginning as a non-permanent structure that must be reflected in the design process as well as in the particular conditions that will model its useful life. Temporality is inherent to humans and any claim of permanence in its architecture is on itself, a statement against the very nature of decay, which is part of a life cycle.

Considering the pavilion has a limited life span, that should be taken into its advantage and have it enjoy a productive existence. During its time as a built object, it would host different activities for locals and visitors. A dream place that must be relished though its existence in varied ways. The pavilion will open most of the summer, and taking that into consideration, its program must be varied. The pavilion is not only an enclosed space, but also a gathering spot that can additionally host exterior activities.

The inside of the pavilion can be well suited for different kinds of formal and informal meetings. It can be used as exhibition space, place for lectures or even as a leisure spot. Externally, over the platform around the pavilion, another array of activities is possible, especially those related with nature, such as collecting leaves, a sensorial garden, a place for socialization and to rest.

Considering the pavilion has a short lifespan, everything around it should be meaningful, the memories and activities, as well as its shape, texture and concept. Even if the pavilion ceases to exist, those interactions should somehow survive, without the need of a physical space. The transcendence of the building will be based upon its capacity to be memorable.

Narration of the parts

After the pavilion’s intended life comes to an end, it can easily be dismounted and the different components are recovered, without being destroyed or mixed. It’s not a demolition but a disassembly so all of the parts can be neatly separated and taken to another place for recycling or for further use. These parts can be either relocated in the island, thus reducing the negative environmental impact of its transportation or become something else for the city. As a suggestion, the structure could become a bird shelter, or even a bio-monitor for the New York municipality. The fabrics that make up the skin of the pavilion, as it is biodegradable, can be allocated in the surrounding area.

The only part that would remain after the pavilion is disassembled is the platform, as a testimony of the pavilion and as a landscape addition to the Governor’s Island context. Even if the pavilion is no longer there, the platform will carry on the memory associated to the object. In this sense, the lifecycle keeps going on, the platform that once hosted the pavilion, will later support a garden, the following season, even if the pavilion is not there, a set of plants and flowers will remember it. The material of the platform is also biodegradable, so gradually it will reincorporate to the ground, and through the months it will merge and finally fade. In this way the pavilion even if short lived, will remain there and will have a legacy.

more about Digital model generation

Technical description

In an attempt to make the construction and un-building procedures clear an easy, the pavilion is made up of few different materials. In this way, it’s possible to track where each of them is coming from and where are they ending up. And it also makes clear the manner in which each of the parts interacts with the others; make it easier to assemble the pavilion.

The structure is not relying on a traditional deep foundation, but rather is anchored to the ground through a wooden platform made out of ribs. This platform creates a transition space from the garden to the inside part of the building and can be considered a landscape on its own. The tubes that form most of the structure of the pavilion are literally rooted in this platform thus connecting both structurally and conceptually to the ground, as if growing from it.

The bottom part of the building is made up of a rigid wooden rib system that helps enclosing the space. This wooden structure is traversed with some flexible polypropylene (pp-r) tubes, which hold all the upper part of the pavilion and provide a dynamic appearance. Besides that, this same weaving allows for the optimal localization of a double skin to protect the interior of the building. One layer is a waterproof fabric, to prevent water from getting in. This will make the pavilion a suitable place for activities even under rainy conditions. The other layer provides solar shading to protect people and objects from solar radiation and to make it more comfortable.

Ecological description

All of the materials are meant to be either biodegradable or re-usable. Their physical dimension should also make them easy to transport. All this conditions are required to have a minimum environmental impact. After the pavilion’s life is over, it will be disassembled and its parts taken away. Only the platform will remain there. It’s made of a biodegradable material (wheat panels) that will gradually merge with the existing landscape. The wood and the tubes used as main structure are reusable specially considering they won’t endure major physical or chemical modifications. The used fabric is made out of natural materials, so it can also biodegrade.

Since the pavilion (and the island) would only open during daylight hours, the energy consumption would be minimal. Even for the assembly, there is no need for complicated machinery; it can be done with basic tools.

The project has been tested for optimal performance in relationship with the weather and the natural conditions. Considering it will stand up during summer, the direct sun in the interior is minimized; wind conditions have also been tested to make sure it’s a comfortable place for activities. The fabric that’ll cover the pavilion is translucent, allowing some amount of daylight to get in.

Credits:

Competition, 2010

Governors Island, New York, NY

Finalist

Design Team: Berardo Matalucci (team leader), Fabiano Spano, Guillermo Ivan Lopéz Dominguez

Environmental Consultancy: Enrico Crobu

Structural Advisor: Manuel Miranda Martínez, Querétaro, Mexico

Local Regulations Consultant: Hannah Purdy, AIA