Metal Metal Pavilion is a temporary exhibition pavilion designed by Atelier Zeros for RL company at the 2023 Design Shanghai. The metal tubes are applied to construct the pavilion for RL, a metal fabrication company, while showcasing its brand and magnifying its manufacturing techniques.
Due to the limited on-site construction and dismantling time, the architects select a common industrial material: the 0.4mm galvanized steel sheets. This material is light-weighted, easy to transport, assemble and disassemble, while also being pricey-affordable.
Inspired by the way materials are stacked in the factory, the architects endeavored to create flowing forms while using “solid” metal material, which can also emphasize RL's metal fabrication skills. The 0.4mm steel sheets, which can be easily bent, rolled into different-sized tubes and stacked together to resemble frozen bubbles within ice blocks. Algorithms were applied to simulate the melting forms of ice blocks when heated, resulting in a textured appearance resembling dissolved forms of the polymer. This dissolved form delicately defined the circulation for visitors. The soft lusters of the metal surface entices viewers to gently touch them, and the subtle disturbance causes slight variations in lighting on those polymers. It not only gives the brand a spectacular installation but also creates an artificial landscape in the whole exhibition venue.
Technically, the stacked metal tubes, which are directly connected by bolts, can be unfolded into closed planar curves. The cutting and numbering of the metal sheets and the positioning of screw holes are all processed by CNC technology in the factory. Afterwards, they are assembled on site within two days, and the metal polymers are suspended beneath joists supported by five columns. Taking inspiration from factory trolleys, cable ties are used to secure orange sound-absorbing cotton to small trolleys, creating exhibition stands and seats.
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