I/Thee created the Puddle Pavilion casts a floating canopy from algae resin by allowing the material to take its own shape on the ground. Built above Mud Creek in Bondurant, Iowa, the installation by design collective I/Thee, led by Neal Lucas Hitch, uses algae-based bio resin to create a translucent canopy shaped by gravity, wind, and surface tension. Once cured, the resin sheet was lifted onto slim steel columns, forming a hovering surface that resembles a frozen splash or a river suspended in the air.
The pavilion demonstrates algae-based bio resin as a biodegradable and low-carbon alternative to plastics. It reflects I/Thee’s approach to Action Architecture, where making becomes performance and material behavior drives form. Positioned at the entrance to Eagle Park, the Puddle Pavilion functions as both a shaded resting place and an exploration of sustainable architectural experimentation.
Image Credit: Dug Rosse
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Algae-based Materials
- The use of algae-based bio resin is emerging as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, prioritizing environmental considerations in material innovation.
- Performance-driven Architecture
- Architecture shaped by natural forces such as gravity and wind highlights a shift towards structures defined by material behavior and site-specific conditions.
- Biodegradable Design
- Biodegradable materials in design projects signal a move towards environmentally responsible construction with reduced carbon footprints.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Sustainable Architecture
- This industry is increasingly exploring eco-friendly materials and techniques, pushing the boundaries of conventional building practices.
- Biomaterials Manufacturing
- Innovations in biomaterials offer new solutions for creating durable yet environmentally conscious products across various applications.
- Urban Placemaking
- Urban spaces are being reimagined with installations that align aesthetic innovation with ecological sustainability to enhance public environments.
