METI Pavilion

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METI Pavilion

Firm

Type

Government + Health ›

YEAR

2011

The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry
of Japan commissioned Noiz Architects to design their main pavilion for the Eco
Products 2011 Expo located at Tokyo Big Site.
In the spirit of the Expo theme, Noiz implemented an experimental
structural and building system generated by energy optimization and customized
fabrication. Total of three pavilions
were designed as a theater space, a smart home, and a rooftop terrace to host
demonstrations of innovative technology and products.

The pavilions were designed with a larger scope in mind, representing a portion
of a city-scaled community. The forms of each pavilion were defined by their hypothetical
use of solar-generative paint, as well as surrounding building condition and
orientation to the sun to allow for maximum usage of solar power in any
location/condition. A special program
was written to generate the unique building-form based upon multiple parametric
values such as maximum solar energy accumulation, site shape, building code, structure,
surrounding condition, weather, latitude, and etc. Additionally, the areas between pavilions were
designed to allow wind-flow for urban-scale ventilation and wind turbines can
also be efficiently used to create additional energy. Entire cityscape
could then be optimized to its maximum fluidity and efficiency. The shape and openings of the pavilion were
also the result of sunlight/heat optimization as well as local natural
ventilation in minimum amount of structure. A recent development in solar
generative paint may soon allow the entire surface of a building to become a
solar power generator, and form-defining parameters would soon be different
from what they are now. This is an
experimental prototype of how technological developments will continue to
expend the possibility of “smart” architecture.The structure of the pavilions was formed by a
matrix of triangular cells made by paper-thin steel plates. The plates were
each laser-cut so that the fins of cells could be folded by hand along dashed
cut lines and connected to each other by bolt. The entire design followed
diverse parameter such as environment, structure and material size. Since the
composition and the construction method is quite simple, we could make a
real-time feedback loop through the environmental contexts, design and construction
data. Each panel is composed of
triangular surface and folding ribs which work as connecting device as
well. An address code inscribed by laser
cutter on each surface ensures simple and efficient assemblage. As this project is still a prototype, waterproofing
and heat insulation is not included in the system. However, along with structure and cost efficiency,
these can be reasonably integrated as parameters in the design/fabrication
system and we are, in fact, working on the next generation of prototype with
additional parameters.Due to the use of such thin steel and mapping
system, the entire 3 pavilions were able to be created out of less than 1 ton
of material (steel plate). They were shipped
in boxes smaller than 2m x 1m x 1m, and constructed in a period of 36
hours. This means the system is
not only effective on ecological aspects but also for emergency shelter due to
its simple and adaptive design/fabrication system.