Incidental Space in Architecture Binnale

Introduction

The Swiss pavilion is one of my favorites in the 15th Venice Architectural Biennale. The project called "Incidental space" designed by architect Christian Kerez, featuring a  cloud-like exterior and cavernous interior.

The Space

There are two openings in the craggy fibre-cement form, one for visitors to view inside and the other for visitors to clamber inside the space to physically sense the surface. it reminds me of climbing rockery when I was a child. Although the architecture is completely artificially formed, it alludes to structures found in geology and anatomy.

Process 

The structure was developed after manipulating over "three hundred small models made with wax, sugar, sand and sawdust." (Battista, 2016) Digital models in combination with virtual reality headsets were used while developing the form.  After casting them in plaster, the models were split open and their complex internal cavities were exposed. The model chosen for the exhibition had to be gradually broken into pieces during the process of optical and topographical scanning. 

"The full-scale version is made from panels of sprayed fibre cement with a thickness two centimetres, and finished using plotting and milling techniques to replicate the form of the model."(Maris, 2016)

Analysis

Most of the people, including myself, will start architectural projects via precedentS research and drawings. Models will be produced after a clear idea of spaces has been formed in the head. It is for better visualization. However, it is not the case for this project. This space is an experiment: "a fundamental research project investigating how architectural spaces might be conceived and might be built, both in the imagination and in technical terms. "As Kerez(2016) said, "with our goal of generating new experiences, we were forced to understand architectural design as an intellectual adventure, full of risk. Nonetheless, Incidental Space is emphatically not a space that has been created at random, or worse, a space that has generated itself."


By linking digital with manual processes, with the help of a variety of technical tools of translation, a highly detailed and organic architectural space has been created like a surprise. I think the amazing part for using materials in an innovation way is that without even knowing what result will come out, the technique and material itself could create a splendid surprise by the caprices of the incident, like this incidental space.

Reference

Battista, A. (2016). High Complexity in a Freely Formed Shell: "Incidental Space", The Swiss Pavilion @ The 15th International Architecture Exhibition. [online] Irenebrination: Notes on Architecture, Art, Fashion and Technology. Available at: http://irenebrination.typepad.com/irenebrination_notes_on_a/2016/05/incidental-space-swiss-pavilion.html [Accessed 16 Jan. 2016].

Christian, K. (2016). Incidental Space: Inside the Swiss Pavilion at the 2016 Venice Biennale. [online] ArchDaily. Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/790410/incidental-space-inside-the-swiss-pavilion-at-the-2016-venice-biennale [Accessed 16 Dec. 2016].

Mairs, J. (2016). Christian Kerez installs cavernous cloud for Swiss pavilion. [online] Dezeen. Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2016/05/27/christian-kerez-cavernous-cloud-installation-swiss-pavilion-venice-architecture-biennale-2016/ [Accessed 16 Jan. 2016].