KATHY ZHU'S PORTFOLIO
Breathing Pavilion
Independent Design
September - December 2020
ARC480 - Advanced Topics in the Technology of Architecture
Instructor: Salman Khalili-Araghi
Through its spatial complexity and structural flexibility, the multi-functional pavilion embodies a future-oriented approach to public space design in a post-COVID world. With its sustainable, lightweight materials and modular applications, the Breathing Pavilion promotes environmental awareness and adaptability. By combining digital methods with accessible materials, the project sparks discussions on modern design's deeper connections to architecture, the natural environment, and society.
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Digital Design Creation
The parametric form development process was executed using Rhinoceros 3D (Grasshopper). After determining the dimensions, thicknesses, and heights of the pavilion platform and roof grid, the vertices of the roof canopy pieces were filtered and organized into a list. Coordinates directly beneath the selected data points on the platform were extracted and merged with the vertex data. Using number sliders to control patterns, polylines were generated to connect the points, forming the basis for fiberglass division screens.
The pavilion features a smart roof canopy crafted from polycarbonate panels, allowing for flexible adjustments to accommodate varying environmental conditions. Translucent fiberglass spatial divisions promote interaction while maintaining social distancing measures. Additionally, the pavilion sits on a grid of glass modules. The roof panels close as needed for shade or shelter from precipitation, while they remain open during favorable weather conditions to optimize fresh air circulation overnight.
Due to its open nature, visitors can freely navigate the spaces defined by the flexible fiberglass divisions, allowing for dynamic spatial interactions. Fiberglass strands can be adjusted between steel structures to accommodate varying spatial needs, ensuring safe occupancy levels for different group sizes.
Responsive light installations embedded within the frosted glass floor tiles act as reinforcements for social distancing measures. See the light illustrations for examples of their dynamic reactions to human interactions.
Project Render
This project aims to showcase a forward-thinking approach to modern architectural design that reinterprets the relationship between form and function. Its translucent surfaces and interactive features create an engaging aesthetic, while simultaneously serving practical functions that meet broader societal demands.
