Solar Pavilion II uses a flexible connection system that acquires stiffness through the bending properties of plywood. Individual pieces have a continuous connection profile along their entire edge. Any two pieces can be notched together at any point and are held in place using a flexible tie-strap connection. This allows for extremely rapid assembly using simple construction procedures. Portions of the structure are pre-assembled using a parallelogram logic that allows for collapsibility. Pre-assembled units are transported in a flat bundle, expanded on site, and locked in place with transverse members. Suspended beneath the structure is an array of scale-like panels made from eco-friendly corn starch plastic (developed by Cereplast and donated by Alcoa) that provide shelter from the sun and rain.The design also emerged from a series of experiments aimed at tying together processes of algorithmic computation and mass customization. Fabricated using a CNC router, the structure is made of hundreds of unique plywood pieces of varying thicknesses. Cut sheets, which were generated using parameters controlling various aspects of shape, are also designed to produce zero waste by utilizing the entire sheet. Program specific fixtures such as benches and tables are made with bamboo plywood (donated by Bettencourt Green Building Supplies) and are a functional adaptation of the same structural system.
View Original