Architecture: Erhard An-He Kinzelbach, Till
Schweizer Client: Universitaet StuttgartStructural engineer: Gerhard MeissnerConsulting engineer: Boromir Radovic, FMPA
BW Wood construction: Merk HolzbauPhotography: Thomas Ott
SECTIONAL MUTATION: The wooden lounge is a
spatial experiment with continuous sectional mutations. Due to the floor and
ceiling topographies and the rhythm of shelf boards on both sides the sections
are varying gradually along the longitudinal axis of the pavilion. a turns into
a´ which turns into a´´ and so forth, forming a series of mutant elements. The
cloud of wooden panels seduces people to enter the space, its panels form a continuous
landscape on a grid of 8 x 7 in which in every direction the height difference
is constant. The interior space is set into scene by the panel topography and
the deep shelf boards on floor, ceiling and walls, hence articulating it as a
piece of operative furniture by itself, that offers the necessary equipment for
exclusive uses such as exhibition, seminar, party, and bookstore or internet
cafe. The shelves on both sides may serve as benches, windows, storage for seating
cushions, and exhibition display. Due to the pavilion’s
intended use in summer and the potential independence of the siting, the aim of
the design is a shaded atmosphere with diffuse light and comfortable
temperature. This results in a separate but not introverted world which keeps
the midday sun out but still provides a high degree of horizontal transmissivity
in all directions. The contact to the outside world is established by the superimposition
of the shelf layer, which also acts as brise-soleil, with the blurring effect
of the corrugated and transparent outer skin. This provides a complex interplay
of light and shade.
MATERIALIZATION: The panel size determines
the construction grid. The sequence of nine rigid-jointed frames made of Kerto engineered
wood is prefabricated in four pieces each and assembled at the final
construction site. The shelve boards in-between support the frames in the
longitudinal direction of the pavilion and prevent their bending. While the
frames provide lateral stiffness, the complete longitudinal stiffness is
guaranteed by pre-stressed steel bars in the bottom part of the frames. This
renders diagonal cross-bracing in the facade unnecessary and allows for
unobstructed horizontal views. The particular scale of the pavilion and the precision
of prefabrication carry into unconventional construction and detail.