The installation of the AA/ETH Pavilion across the front steps of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology was not just undertaken to introduce shady refuges or simply to decorate the plaza with art. The collaborative project intended to accomplish both of these things, and also to observe the fascinating properties of bent plywood.
Inspired by the innovations into the manipulation of this material 60 years ago, a team of London Architectural Association students from the Emergent Technologies and Design (EmTech) program worked with ETH to design and erect these two elaborate arches with skeletal scale patterns incised across the bowing surfaces. The AA/ETH Pavilion flaunts its graceful shape, the captivating shadows it casts and the way it shrugs off wind resistance with its perforated shell.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Bent Plywood Innovations
- The manipulation of bent plywood for architectural designs continues to evolve, creating new opportunities for aesthetically pleasing and functional structures.
- Perforated Shell Designs
- The use of perforated shells in architecture creates unique patterns of light and shadow and offers energy-saving benefits, providing an opportunity for sustainable design innovation.
- Collaborative Art Installations
- Collaborative art installations, combining technology and design, provide opportunities for unique and eye-catching public spaces.
Where This Applies
- Architectural Design
- Architectural design firms with a focus on innovation have the opportunity to explore the use of bent plywood and perforated shell designs for their designs.
- Construction
- The construction industry can embrace the use of new materials and designs, such as the AA/ETH Pavilion installation, to build unique and sustainable structures.
- Art and Design Collaboration
- Art and design collaborations, like the AA/ETH Pavilion project, provide a platform for showcasing innovative ideas in both fields.
