Examples Of An Interesting Architectural Installation
Before beginning the stage of designing a bus shelter for the Dundas and McCaul intersection, three precedents that include pavilions and bus shelter are chosen to further examine and get inspiration. Every structure has its own unique response to its environment through the language of the design, structure, and material. Tschumi Pavillion / Academy of Architecture Groningen Built by the Academy of Architecture Groningen in the Netherlands in 2017, the Tschumi Pavilion that was part of the outdoor art exhibition has become a showcase for all kinds of art projects. Its design intent was to express the changing urban living environments – despite having smaller spaces, the quality of living will be maintained.
The rectangular pavilion itself is both transparent and non-transparent with the use of clear gas and wooden slats in the middle, allowing people to imagine what could be inside. It is being supported by concrete and steel as the pavilion is tilted. The designers staggered the wooden slats with two different lengths and connected each piece with just one screw to form a self-supporting structure. The result of staggering all wooden slats together also gives the pavilion its complexity. It also gives it a false sense of wood pieces floating and surround themselves around the glass pavilion. Wishing to take visitors outside of their comfort zone and to think outside the box, the floor was designed to be tilted, therefore seeming unusual to people.
As soon as visitors go inside the space, they become disorientated on a sloping floor. Yet, as they look beyond the glass window, they can see a different sightline and light ray. It is a completely different view from standing on flat ground. In addition, the pavilion has a strong connection to its surroundings. It is place in a park and encircled by trees. The rectangular glass box allows people to see through the structure and the trees behind it as well, clouding them what is inside and outside. The wooden slats also convey the voice of nature.
Nauge / Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec Another example of an interesting architectural installation is the Nuage, which was built as part of the Design Miami satellite program in December 2017. The French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec designed this steel, colored glass canopy that describes to be an “organic pergola” (Bouroullec). The size of the shading canopy is measured 100 meters long and five meters tall. The structure is made of clusters of circular steel barrels to hold in the blue and green stained glasses with slim steel legs to support the cloud like cover. Multiples different sized cylinders are placed at different heights to further enhance the cloud like effect. When the sun sparkles through, the tinted canopy acts like a stained-glass window to form colorful wavy-edged shadows that see like cartoon clouds on the asphalt underneath.
Furthermore, concrete seating that contains a lily lake and local plants and trees is placed underneath the canopy. The plants are able to extend up through the steel les. Bouroullec describes, "Mineral and heavy, these shapes contrast the stainless-steel roof onto which the environment, the sky, the vegetation are reflected. The reflection resonates with the changes of the day and with the seasons, inviting relaxation, reflection, and respite from Miami's bright sun." The Nuage engages a natural and complementing relationship with its neighboring buildings and fronts.
Bus Shelter / Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee Designed by Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee in 2007, the bus shelter located on the main campus of Wake Tech Community College received recognition of AIA National Small Project Structures Award in 2008. Unlike regular bus shelters, this has a simple yet sophisticated components of two materially contrasting elements – the heavy weighted concrete block that acts as both the seating bench and structure with a steel canopy top that was manufactured off site and delivered to put into place. In both section and elevation, the walls link with the canopy to form a double ‘L.’ In order to express the lightness and translucent of the canopy, it is laminated with polycarbonate.
On the other hand, the concrete is sand blasted then left in a natural state. A wooden bench composed of IPE is placed on top of the concrete to provide comfortable seating. The shelter’s steel frame supports the laminated glass and polycarbonate panels which provides weather and shade cover. In addition, light is able to shine through the glass and panels to animate the space with changing shadows and light throughout the day. Each precedent has its own unique elements that I want to consider and relate to my design. The use of glass, concrete and steel are recurring materials that were used in all precedents.
After walking around the Dundas/McCaul intersection, I noticed the most dominant building is the AGO. Similarly, the exterior of AGO is comprised of concrete, glass and steel as well. Using the same material would complement the nearby building and truly make it a part of the environment. With the existing bus stop I will be replacing it with the bus stop design of my own. Due to the weather in Toronto, a weather cover that will protect commuters from rain, wind and snow is required. Moreover, the stained glass in the Miami steel canopy is an interesting element to add to the design as well. It would give the shelter a nice color reflection and dynamic touch.
