PIPE pavilion - Khayam University temporary pavilion

Mashhad, Iran

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Other Projects by Farnaz Fattahi

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PIXEL PATTERN INSTALLATION

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GIRIH BRICK [Landscape Installation]

PIPE pavilion - Khayam University temporary pavilion

Mashhad, Iran

Firm

Farnaz Fattahi

Type

Cultural › Pavilion

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2014

PIPE pavilion
Khayyam University temporary PIPE Pavilion Project
September 2014
The Khayam University PIPE pavilion was constructed by architecture students under the direction and
supervision of Farnaz Fattahi. This temporary pavilion explores the interaction of conceptual design
thinking and the use of digital tools with hands on construction techniques. Additionally, the project
aims at utilizing the students potential working with digital modeling and expediting construction of the
complex geometric pattern. This temporary installation was assembled by 28 architecture students over
a six weeks period of design and fabrication. The structure of this pavilion is 2.9 meters high and spans
across 6 meters.
The conceptual approach to the realization of this pavilion explores sustainable structures. Emerging
from the hard concrete surface, an organism of the cardboard matter stating its existence against the
harsh platform. The organism constituting of 1014 recycled cardboard pipes has an identity of
sustainability and resembles the notion of up‐cycling. The creative reuse of taking the process of
recycling to a greater application by the act of transforming by‐products into usable materials. Upcycling
not only reduces the usage of raw materials, it also requires less space for landfill waste. In a
way, it is a respectful attempt to decrease human footprint on environment by reducing pollutants.
The concept of this pavilion is formed by the paper plotters cardboard pipes journey from the useful
stage to useless by transforming the mere cardboard by‐product into a structural component. The
beginning of the form indicates the initial industrial value of the cardboard pipe as a platform structure
for paper rolls. Once the product has served its purpose, its value is significantly reduced. This is
displayed through the forms decreasing notion in height in conjunction with disregarding the
neighboring landscape, symbolizing the detachment of industry from nature. This phase represents the
degradation of the uselessness of the by‐product. The stage where humans call a discarded product
waste, and due to its inefficiency it is consequently abandoned it in nature.
The manipulation of the used cardboard pipes as the substantial component to create a space increases
the value of these pipes by indicating the discovered potential in this by‐product to serve a new function
hence regaining a valuable purpose. This evolution is made possible by the transformation of the
pavilions height and contouring direction. As the height increases, the form transforms from a vertical
surface to an architectural arc creating a sheltering space which is of greater value in comparison to the
initial stage of the structure. The forms direction is also reversed towards the abandoned landscape.
Therefore embracing nature which in essence is the source of the cardboards origin. The holistic design
creates an architectonic space within the created semi enclosed arc promoting a spatial quality allowing
the users to pause and realize the view of the embraced landscape.
The pavilions con􀆟nuous tubular pa􀆩ern is generated through a 3d surface. The surface form is
modified by its ambition to serve as a narrative of the projects conceptual upcycling objective.
Accordingly the aggregated pattern of vertical cardboard pipes is informed by the surface shape. The
formation of the metamorphic pattern is produced by the symbiotic relation of the modules length and
thickness fluctuation. As the form develops, optimization occurs in the modular pattern by reducing
simultaneously the thickness and height of the pipes as the forms elevation increases. The various pipe
specifications are programed to be allocated on the form according to the structural parameters. The
thicker and more robust pipes are predetermined as load barring structural elements fixed to the
ground, ensuring the stability of the structure by using a combination of rebars and concrete within
these base modules. The thinner and less rigid pipes are used to shape the arc simultaneously filtering
light and shifting the arcs weight through to the base.
Using grasshopper3D each module is assigned a unique code based on the pipe rows indicating its
identity within the created network. This triangular grid of connections conceived was defined by coded
connection points. The connection technique is made of bolts and screws fixing each module to its
neighboring fragment. With predominantly 8 individual connec􀆟ons between adjoining modules, the
form uses approximately 8200 connectors revealing the strong interconnection created in the surface.
The surface pa􀆩ern is dissected into 8 groups interlocked by hinges allowing an easier assembly and
disassembly of the form. The grid created by the triangular symbiotic relation formalized by the
continuous and metamorphic shape reinterprets the growth of the smooth pattern transition emerging
from the ground to the arc and back to the ground. The unified patterned form created a unique
opportunity to experiment through parametric design and fabrication process conveying the design
motive of emergent sustainable structures through upcycling.
Project Location: Khayyam University, Mashhad, Iran
Date of Exhibi􀆟on: 2014‐10‐06 to 2014‐11‐06
Project director: Farnaz Fattahi (Master of Digital Architecture‐ UTS) ‐ Architecture lecturer
Design and Fabrication: Ahmad Farahi, Armin Akbari, Elaheh Gharayi, Mahdis Asadabadi, Kamyar
Ahmadi Azari, Farbod Yahyapour, Sara Mahmoudi, Mahnous Hashemabadi.
Fabrication team: Ebrahim Hashemian, Hamid Farrokhi, Ensieh Shahdadi, Mahraz Tamri, Parisa
Heidarian, Danial Sanagostar, Samad Saberi, Jaber Efati, Bahareh HAtamizadeh, Mina Sepehrvash, Saeed
Gohari, Morteza JanMohamadi, Mohammad Reza Bardaran Motie, Mohammad Javad Gholizadeh,
Alireza Pourzolfaghar, Setareh Mirshahi, Golnaz Rohani, Hanieh Khadem, Mahdieh Hosseini.
Computer parametric modeling: Armin Akbari
Fittings consultant: Navid Sanei
Structural consultant: Ali Mohebali