The Definition of Project:
For this
competition, the project to be designed will have a moveable, rather than a
fixed location.
The challenge
involves the design of a mobile architecture gallery built to contain and
distribute - both metaphorically and literally - ideas for the city as whole.
This installation will travel along the River Thames, connecting in this way a
number of artistic spaces, and picking up visitors along the riverbank, particularly
the South Bank.
This container
vessel should be versatile enough to accommodate a variety of functions through
simple modifications to its structure. The exhibition space must be able to
adapt itself to the movement of the river and to the requirements of the
exhibition and the artists, as well as the climate of London, with the
particular demands imposed by summer and winter conditions.
This “Floating
Container” will consist of a lightweight structure installed upon a floating
barge, with a basic area of approximately 500 m2. It should form an object that
is easily distinguishable from all the other types of vessels which currently
navigate the river, and it should be capable of altering through its
“temporary” presence the urban profile of the city.

Parameters of Design:
The idea of a
floating architecture gallery on a river is a very unique scheme that can
provide extensive ways of thinking. Inspired from nature, our solution was to
bring the idea of an adaptable object into the project’s design. An object
which not only has an innate floating character, but also is a symbol of
departure from the origin: “The Iceberg”

1. The main
concept; "Iceberg"
The idea of a dignified object floating on
water is used as a symbol, reminding the origin from which this object is
derived. Just like the architecture departed from the nature or in a minor
scale, this gallery, which is departed from the whole architecture of London
and the world, as a floating landmark (or watermark!). For this reason we are
going to call it an "ARCBERG".

2. Energy saving:
   PV panels have been used, to cover the main
structure. These panels can save the energy of the ultraviolet rays and change
it into electrical power so that it can even work in partly cloudy days. This
energy will also be used to light up the gallery at night. For this reason
there should be a small room to maintain the central battery.

3. Natural
indirect light:
   Since the main gallery needs to obtain
natural indirect light, partly transparent PV panels have been used on the
body. These panels can have a reflection rate between 0 to 100%. The 15%
transparency rate of the panels can provide us with bright walls. This
"self-illumination" produces a special natural light that is suitable
for this gallery, the same way Eskimos light up their Igloos.

4. The Wharf:
   The wharf is located at the west side of the
Millennium bridge in the south bank of the river. It’s hanging beside the coast
is also designed as a part of the main "ARCBERG" (the gallery); A
remaining part on the land which is not departed yet.