Info Point

This ideas competition organized in the framework of the 23rd UIA Congress Turin 2008 was illustrating the theme: ‘Transmitting Architecture’.

The design deals with

– a pavillion which upon closer interaction reveals its ambiguity through the merging of sinuous curves, structural performance and programmatic functions into a single continuous form
– a shell structure which varies from opaque to transparent, producing a three-dimensional moiré,
– the creation of a shell which encloses while also providing a route through for passing pedestrians.

The body and the boundary

The pavilion invites inspection from a distance and upon closer interaction reveals its ambiguity through the merging of sinuous curves, structural performance and programmatic functions into a single continuous form.
As you move around, the surface varies from opaque to transparent, producing a three-dimensional moiré. The surface encloses while also providing a route through for passing pedestrians. It has neither outside nor inside.

The flow of information

The diagrammatical interpretation of the ear structure is used in order to comment on the flow and the translation of information. (area B).
Visitors select the data to be projected and exhibited, information is being transformed (area B) and the instant outcome is being projected and transmitted (areas A and C) through image and sound.
The body of the info point is the processing domain of information.

Shell Structure

The pavilion is formed by a discontinuous shell structure made of thin and flat wooden elements (MDF boards), which perform as structure and skin, floor, walls and furniture.
The jointing of discrete wooden profiles exploits a simple intersecting notch joint, which is locked together using a bespoke rubber gasket assembly.
The angle of each intersection varies across the structure. Finally, the elements, each having a different profile, are manufactured directly from digital models on CNC cutting equipment using standard sized flat sheets of wood (MDF).