The Sea Star Pavilion | Alexey Umarov

Project Describtion.

Modern temporary exhibition space, the Pavilion, is located on the city's waterfront on the free land with flat relief. In addition, the object is located directly on the square and coexists with buildings of cultural heritage. The area around the site is open to pedestrian access and not grayed out, free from   modern urban buildings and engineering structures.

In accordance with the competition`s instructions, the object is considered to be temporary. Therefore special attention was paid to the formation of a promenade image, which has played a key role in this design solution.

А long pier for yachts and sailboats connects the waterfront. There are always many people of different ages and interests here. One group of people connecting to each other finds harmony in the contemplation of environment, beauty of the sky and the surface of the seawater, white yachts and sailboats light, another group of people is directly involved in an active process that takes place on the water. Anyways all that people are united by a coastline.

Based on the location analysis and typology of buildings, as well as reference to existing processes of human contact with water, the task of the object design was to emphasize the importance of water in our lives, to focus on the organic life of seas and oceans. Thus to remind people that harmony with nature and  humanity is the only way to continue its path of development.

A starfish, as a bright and popular representative of the marine environment among people has been selected as a prototype image of the temporary object. In selecting precise, a special role was played to geometry of the star, which fits well into a square or a circle being a great design tool for creating resistibility. The main expressive element of the pavilion is the broken surface of the roof that covers the whole functional space of this object. This should generate such an emotional state at the level of visual perception to please esthetically visitors of the pavilion. Surface units of the pavilion are arranged in the way to fit perfectly all the pavilion area, forming a complex with different complicated interior space.

The property consists of three spaces, smoothly slipping into each other. The main element is flowing to the base of the shell and divides the space into a cafeteria, a shop and a showroom. Only serving space is separated by walls from visitor`s eyes.

In terms of composition the size of the object is about 21.5x21.8 meters. Height of the pavilion is 10 meters. From the ratio of functional areas the entire area is  divided into 3 parts, when Area equaling 180 squad meters is Exhibition (40%), the Café Hall is 126 sm (28%), the Gift Shop is 40 sm (9%) and 100 sm is serving space (22%).

It counted on the use of environmentally friendly materials, that can be recycled and reused. For example, all supporting structures are made of laminated veneer lumber and sheathing frame walls are made of osb wood boards. Cell structure of the roof are covered with wooden slats so that the sunlight passes freely through the long narrow hole, creating line drawings of the of light and shadow play. The use of glass is also a part of idea, since exhibition hall interiors should be protected from possible rain. However glass could be ignored and replaced by lighter materials such as translucent fabric, awning fabric or light materials made from linen.

In this object spectacularity is provided by a combination of light transmission of the roof structure and rhythm of vertical columns. In addition to the vibrant appeal this roof installation will create shade and enhances the flow of air, creating a little cool air flow.

Besides the building will provide not only a cultural function in accordance wint the competition task, but also creates a comfortable place to stay for people playing an important social role. The construction will attract people attention due to convenient location and  lightness of architecture, openness of space, that is easy to appreciate even at a distance.

The object`s architecture provides a transformability and compactability. The installation is possible to remove and rebuild in any other place, even on the water.