Para-Mat

Cádiz, Spain

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Para-Mat

Cádiz, Spain

YEAR

2011

BUDGET

$0 - 10K

This summer, the European Architecture Students Assembly was held in the beautiful Spanish city of Cádiz, on the shore of the Atlantic. During the two weeks of the assembly, 400 students of architecture from all around Europe attended lectures, took part in workshops. One of the 23 workshops was the Para-Mat!.The aim of the Para-Mat! workshop was to create an elastic pavilion using rubber stripes, which – while being architecturally attractive – can serve as a meeting point of the local community. It should give something for everyone; protection from the scorching andalusian sun for the old fishermen on the ocean shore; a giant hammock for the youngsters chilling during a botellón; a nice seat for couples watching the setting sun over the ocean.The structure consisted of simple hemp rope and bicycle tubes. Our aim was to use low–tech procedures while at the same time achieving interesting architectural forms. The first part of the EASA was spent researching the most practical knotting and weaving techniques using small rubber rings and ropes. We didn’t involve any computer-use either for the planning, or for the production. The Para-Mat! pavilion is a real teamwork-achievement, since all the workshop participants worked enthusiastically during the early research and site analysis phases, as well as during the demanding construction period.Participants:Alice Shead (UK) Cansu Pelin Isbilen (TUR) Claire White (AUS) Coen Meintjes (ZAF) Corrie-Anne Rounding (UK) Elena Curasevici (MDA) Elizabeth Daly (UK) Elsa Deconchat (FR) Evelina Vasilanskahe (LTU) Ines Alecrim (PRT) Jake Balderson (UK) Jesse Delmo (AUS) Lasma Grigone (LV) Mészáros Mária (HU) Miné Roodt (ZAF) Nielsine C. Otto (DK) Tanya Yliaho (FIN) Tatevik Hakobyan (ARM) Tatiana Leontieva (RUS