In Search of the (w)hole: Shadow Pavilion
In Search of the (w)hole: Shadow Pavilion
The Shadow Pavilion design explores the paradox of a perforated structure where the removal of material makes a structure lighter and weaker. The Shadow Pavilion is both a structure and a space made entirely of holes.
The pavilion surface is made with over 100 aluminum laser cut cones that vary in size. Beyond testing the limits of sheet aluminum, the cones will act to funnel light and sound to the interior space, offering visitors a space to take in the views and sounds of the surrounding landscape. Organizational schemes for the cones investigated the logic of phyllotaxis. In botany, phyllotaxis describes a plant's spiral packing arrangement of its elements and as applied to the pavilion the concept limited the form but strengthened the structure.
Construction methods, materials used: Laser cut aluminum (.040” thick)
The Shadow Pavilion, 450 SF Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Design: Summer 2009
Completed: September 2009
See Proposal (PDF 377KB)
Additional Media: Shadow Pavilion Executive Summary – write up, diagrams, and photos. (PDF 6.9MB)
Project Leads
Karl Daubmann
Project Team: John Marshall; assisted by Chris Johnson, Ngoc Thy Phan, Alex Timmer.
Structural Advisor: Andy Greco, SDI
Additional construction help provided by: Peggy Chong, Jessica Mattson, Katie Santer, Dwight Song, Alex Watanabe.
