PAVILION OF EXPLORATIONS | Giuseppe Raimondo

INTRODUCTION The project underlying purpose was the configuration of a new, functional and polyvalent place. It doesn't regards just the creation of a temporary building; it concerns the shaping of a new space that has to be distinguishable, integrated into the surrounding environment and representative of the Barcelona cultural diversity.

URBAN INTEGRATION The project site area is located in a strategic position, where the old city meets the sea. For this reason we paid special attention to the integration between the new pavilion and the morphological complexity of the city. The concept starting point was the identification of a specific urban axis: the imaginary extension of the "Rambla" towards the quay. This path, a constant reference for both citizens and tourists of Barcelona, was used as project generative instrument, defining the volume breakdown and its morphology. In this way it was possible to create a space interconnected with both the "Port Vell" and the city center. A space whose purpose is to be the meeting point between people coming from the city and people coming from the port. This context explains also the positioning of the entrances to the main pavilion and to the ramp-park, dislocated towards the town and towards the sea. It was also taken into account the respect for the existing surrounding, by aligning the pavilion edges with the Port building.

VOLUMES MODELLING After the identification of project main axes, the site plan has been sliced into two imaginary parts. Then these two surfaces has been slid into space following different inclinations, producing a volumetric complexity developed into different levels. The western area became a ramp-park faced toward the old city: a relax and socialization area placed on a gently sloping, where will be possible to seat, have a break and play sports as skateboard and rolling skating. The eastern area follows the ramp-park gradient, shaping slightly bleachers, declining from city to the sea, becoming both panoramic point and multipurpose area for outdoor performances. Under the bleachers level is located the main pavilion.

INTERIOR DISTRIBUTION For interior distribution concept, we choose a recognizable shape that belongs to the Barcelona cultural background: the Cerdà urban blocks shape, that the spanish architect used for Barcelona urban planning. The shape of the urban blocks is composed by chamfered corners squares. These squares were adapted to the site area size and used for: structural dimensioning; connection between interior area and outdoor furniture; interior spaces composition, through modeling and shaping operations. The shaping process was carried on not adding volume into a empty area, but subtracting portions of space to create emptiness organized by internal paths. The main path has a highlighted chromatism that leads visitors through the pavilion functions: in the hall are located the info point and the sitting area; the northern area is marked with a unique volume decomposed into two blocks, the cafè and the public toilets; the southern area, towards the sea, is a huge open space in which are located the restaurant and the expositions area, organized with daises that shape the expositive path.

STRUCTURE AND CONSTRUCTIVE MODULARITY The support structure is entirely made of small size steel precast elements. The roofing is composed by reticular modules that can be easily assembled. The carpentry steel beams generates a strong impact design, purposely left in view, consisting in a continuous web of triangular shapes. The pillars are integrated in the roof web design and have a cross section, in reference with the pillars designed by Mies van der Rohe for the Barcelona Expo Pavilion. The final structural framework is especially suitable for temporary buildings and is comparable with the scaffolding systems. All the Pavilion elements are designed to be easily assembled or disassembled. The floating floor has a metal modular structure that allows a quick installation; the interior stands are composed by prefabricated structures with light external panels; the platforms and external claddings are composed by weatherproof removable planks.

MATERIALS AND TEXTURES The interior and exterior materials choice was made taking into account their recognizability into the Spanish and Catalan tradition. The external perimeter covering is assembled with boat sail, a reference to the Catalan textile craft and to the seafaring tradition of the city. The interior stands and furniture cladding instead refers to the typical stone of Montjuic, obtained from the caves of the same hill; finally, the interior floating floor is composed by azulejos, the typical blue ceramic tiles of the Iberian tradition.

VERSATILITY This term refers to the multifunctional use of the pavilion. In fact, it can be used for multiple purposes: first of all for expositions, performances of public shows, items publicity. But it can also be used for socialization aims: thanks to its urban location, the pavilion can be the fusion between city and sea, where tourists and citizens can meet, discuss, or just have a break from the everyday routine. Especially the space configuration and the relationship between internal and outside space makes the pavilion unique among its kind and suited to many different purposes.