Petal
Basic information
Project Title
Petal
Full project title
Temporary pavillion built from simple sun lounge chairs for CHART art fair 2023 in Copenhagen
Category
Regaining a sense of belonging
Project Description
PETAL is a playful kinetic structure, assembled from simple deck chairs in a cylindrical arrangement, that mirrors the changing appearance of a flower between day and night. During the day, the structure appears “in full bloom” when the sun loungers are opened up to provide access to a 360 degree cafe bar and social seating area. At night, the chairs collapse to form a screen for color or graphic projections - a sculpture in the night awakening curiosity among visitors and passers by.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Copenhagen, Denmark
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
PETAL is a playful kinetic structure, assembled from simple deck chairs in a cylindrical arrangement, that mirrors the changing appearance of a flower between day and night. During the day, the structure appears “in full bloom” when the sun loungers are opened up to provide access to a 360 degree cafe bar and social seating area. At night, the chairs collapse to form a screen for color or graphic projections.
The pavilion was designed and built for the cultural event CHART Art Fair 2023 that took place in Kunsthal Charlottenborg in Copenhagen last weekend of August. Following the principles of New European Bauhaus the pavilion is showcasing how sustainable design can be beautiful, functional and responsible.
The main driving force behind the design of the pavilion was to use an everyday product in a new way and still keeping the original functionality of the product. With the simple deck chair in mind the temporary pavilion is designed to be easy to assemble and disassemble, while using the function of the chair itself and the advantages it has of being able to be flat packed or folded out to an open structure.
The pavilion is constructed in raw wood, with 18 vertical sections attached to a cylindrical bar built in plywood that functions as the foundation/base for the whole structure. Each section consists of five hanging deck chairs that are attached on the outside of the columns. The structure is kinetic where the chairs' original functionality of being able to be closed or open in different grades are kept and a total of nine engines are controlling this movement.
With this pavilion we wanted to create a meeting point and social attractor that celebrates the cultural event of CHART art fair. Where the structure itself is awakening curiosity and excitement among visitors and passers-by. We are currently looking for opportunities to reassemble the pavilion again, allowing it to bloom for other community gatherings, events or public gatherings
The pavilion was designed and built for the cultural event CHART Art Fair 2023 that took place in Kunsthal Charlottenborg in Copenhagen last weekend of August. Following the principles of New European Bauhaus the pavilion is showcasing how sustainable design can be beautiful, functional and responsible.
The main driving force behind the design of the pavilion was to use an everyday product in a new way and still keeping the original functionality of the product. With the simple deck chair in mind the temporary pavilion is designed to be easy to assemble and disassemble, while using the function of the chair itself and the advantages it has of being able to be flat packed or folded out to an open structure.
The pavilion is constructed in raw wood, with 18 vertical sections attached to a cylindrical bar built in plywood that functions as the foundation/base for the whole structure. Each section consists of five hanging deck chairs that are attached on the outside of the columns. The structure is kinetic where the chairs' original functionality of being able to be closed or open in different grades are kept and a total of nine engines are controlling this movement.
With this pavilion we wanted to create a meeting point and social attractor that celebrates the cultural event of CHART art fair. Where the structure itself is awakening curiosity and excitement among visitors and passers-by. We are currently looking for opportunities to reassemble the pavilion again, allowing it to bloom for other community gatherings, events or public gatherings
Key objectives for sustainability
The structure is designed to be adaptable and easily disassembled, allowing future reuse and reducing waste. It is an imaginative idea showcasing how sustainable design can be beautiful, functional and responsible while providing an universal designed space inviting visitors to meet and interact.
At the heart of our structure is the concept of easy assembly and disassembly where simple sun lounge chairs constructed from wood and fabric are the main building element of the structure. The chairs are kept in their original form and can be used as sun chairs again after the pavilion's end of life. The other building elements, as the structural columns and bar are made of sustainably resourced wood.
At the heart of our structure is the concept of easy assembly and disassembly where simple sun lounge chairs constructed from wood and fabric are the main building element of the structure. The chairs are kept in their original form and can be used as sun chairs again after the pavilion's end of life. The other building elements, as the structural columns and bar are made of sustainably resourced wood.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The petal is a playful addition to the context where it is placed. Where a simple everyday product as the sun chair is transformed into a sculpture in full bloom. A colorful and beautiful creature that awakes curiosity and surprise among passers-by in the urban environment.
The beauty of using a product as the simple sun lounge chair and transforming this into a larger structure, where the chair gets a completely different function.
The beauty of using a product as the simple sun lounge chair and transforming this into a larger structure, where the chair gets a completely different function.
Key objectives for inclusion
With the sun lounge chair as a symbol for socializing and leisure the structure is designed to be
Inclusive. Here the visitors can find their place for sitting and relaxing, regardless of their age or ability. The bar itself is designed with a section of lower bar height to enable easy serving area and overview for people in wheelchairs as well as for children.
Inclusive. Here the visitors can find their place for sitting and relaxing, regardless of their age or ability. The bar itself is designed with a section of lower bar height to enable easy serving area and overview for people in wheelchairs as well as for children.
Results in relation to category
The pavilion was displayed at the CHART art fair for four days. A short time of display but the impact it had among visitor people passing by was beyond our expectations. We have received a lot of positive feedback from people coming by and experiencing the pavilion, where it was not only the pavilion itself but also the atmosphere around it that was one of the main achievements. We saw ourselves how it awoke curiosity and put a smile on peoples faces. How it transformed the surroundings and strengthened the sense of belonging in that space.
How Citizens benefit
One of the main goals of this project was to create a pavilion that contributed to a sense of community. An unexpected element in the city that awoke curiosity among visitors and invited people to come close and explore the details of the pavilion. As well as they were invited to sit down in a sun chair and just enjoy the atmosphere around them.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
The pavilion is an innovative showcase of how we can reuse and transform an everyday product, a sun chair in this case, into a new usage / built structure. The mindset of seeing opportunities in reuse of material and projects is one of the main innovative character of the project.
Another innovative aspect is the kinetic function of the pavilion, that the whole pavilion can open or close depending on time of day or usage. Where this opening mechanism is created by using the original functionality of how the sun chair is opened and closed. The whole pavilion can be easily packed and transported, to be assembled/disassembled in 2-3 days.
Another innovative aspect is the kinetic function of the pavilion, that the whole pavilion can open or close depending on time of day or usage. Where this opening mechanism is created by using the original functionality of how the sun chair is opened and closed. The whole pavilion can be easily packed and transported, to be assembled/disassembled in 2-3 days.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
During the process we have engaged with experts in the field of structural engineering as well as electromechanical engineers to help us with the electrical engines that are installed to open and close the chairs.
Methodology used
The project was designed during a short open design competition where our proposal was chosen as one of five finalists to be built during CHART art fair 2023 in Copenhagen. The main objective from the competition brief was to design a pavilion based on the New European Bauhaus design principles.
After winning the competition the project was detailed further before we started a construction period of two weeks where we ourselves constructed the pavilion.
The main approach during the design/ sketch process was to come up with an innovative idea that showcased how we can reuse material and transform an object as well as a space through design.
After winning the competition the project was detailed further before we started a construction period of two weeks where we ourselves constructed the pavilion.
The main approach during the design/ sketch process was to come up with an innovative idea that showcased how we can reuse material and transform an object as well as a space through design.
How stakeholders are engaged
The pavilion was designed and constructed by us as architects but during the process we have reached out to different local stakeholders to achieve more knowledge about certain structural principles, as well as researching fundings for different materials, and/or reuse of materials.
Global challenges
The project shows how we can work with reusing materials and ready made products in a new and innovative way. It also addresses how a simple element, as a temporary pavilion in this case, can transform a space and create places for meeting and socializing in our cities. A piece of beauty and unexpectedness that awakes curiosity and positivity.
Learning transferred to other parties
The pavilion itself is designed to be easy to assemble/disassemble, to be able to be transferred to a new context. Right now we are looking for the next placement for the pavilion to bloom..
Keywords
A cultural activator
Design for dissasembly
Reuse of material
Social meetingpoint
Transformation of a space
