# Living Structure Pavilions The 'Hygroskin / Hygroscope' by Achim Menges Works with the Environment By Jamie Danielle Munro | Published 2014-04-15 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/achim-menges References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/achim-menges-developes-hygroskin-and-hygroscope-biomimetic-meteorosensitive-pavilions-4-14-2014/) & [achimmenges.net](http://www.achimmenges.net/?cat=236) Achim Menges, a design and architecture firm, recently constructed two pavilions titled 'Hygroskin / Hygroscope.' One is located in New Orleans, while the other can be found at the Pompidou Centre in Paris. "Hygroscopicity refers to an objects ability to absorb moisture from its environment when dry and shed moisture to its environment when wet," states DesignBoom, which is exactly how these structures function. The designers were looking to explore how architecture could be brought to life, making it a self-sustainable structure that would use less manmade energy. Considering how global warming and the overall state of the planet is slowly deteriorating, doing research into projects such as these are much-welcomed and even necessary for the health of the earth. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/achim-menges-developes-hygroskin-and-hygroscope-biomimetic-meteorosensitive-pavilions-4-14-2014/), [achimmenges.net](http://www.achimmenges.net/?cat=236) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.6/10 - Popularity: 6% | Activity: 33% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Hygroscopic Architecture:** Designing architecture that is self-sustainable and able to interact with its environment through moisture absorption and shedding. - **Biomimetic Structures:** Exploring how architecture can imitate and learn from natural processes and organisms for innovative and sustainable design. - **Sustainable Building Materials:** Developing materials that can contribute to the energy efficiency and ecological impact of buildings through their interaction with the environment. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** Opportunity to revolutionize the design and construction of buildings by integrating hygroscopic and biomimetic principles. - **Environmental Technology:** Creating technologies and materials that can contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly built environment. - **Climate Change Mitigation:** Addressing the challenges of global warming and environmental deterioration through innovative building practices and materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Interactive Architectural Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/folding-landscape.md) - [Kinetic Interaction Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transmutation-observatory.md) - [Living Structure-Based Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canada-pavilion.md) - [Wind-Responsive Panel Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-biodiversity-pavilion.md) - [Earthened Architecture Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/morocco-pavilion.md) - [Organic Spiral Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pasona-natureverse-pavilion.md) - [Artful Wooden Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orchid-pavilion.md) - [Bamboo Forest Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazon-rainforest-pavilion.md) - [Interactive Public Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/radius-transformation-pavilion.md)