Memory textile pavilions

Individual Project

Semester: Spring 2022 / travel studio

Location: Dessau, Germany

Professor: Rene Davis & Greg Castillo

Software: Rhino, Enscape, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop

The project references previous building boundary lines from a 1910 and a 1945 map of Dessau within the assigned site. The 1910 lines define the site boundary for the proposed textile pavilions, while the 1945 lines appear through the landscape as a grassy strip. Secondary to these, a series of invisible guidelines establish the placement of each module and the circulation of the site itself. They define connections, outdoor public spaces, and interstitial spaces.

The conceptual strategy for the textile pavilions is the idea of the “thick wall” that becomes inhabited with core, private, and enclosed spaces, with a thin curved concrete roof (referencing the feel of textile) overhang held by a structural concrete free standing wall on the other side. This allows for the large open spaces to focus on the larger, public activities and provide a free column plan for programs such as workshop space, exhibit space, living room and creative areas, as well as a space for public interaction. The overall modules are then enclosed with large curtain walls to create transparency and allow light in, and then are covered by some interior and exterior textile curtains to allow more openness and a choice for privacy.

The Pavilions

The five pavilions frame a central space for gatherings such as markets and everyday rituals. The site is composed of a, 1. Primary exhibit space, that houses meeting rooms, classrooms, restrooms and a store, 2. A working workshop for an innovative textile – pinatex. 3. An artist working space to develop the textiles, furniture, clothing, etc. Lastly, 4. a cafe that opens up to the courtyard and invites the public to interact with the space and view into the workshop spaces.

Unfolded sections

The overall landscape is made up of crashed plattenbau, a brick courtyard space and a series of trees and plants that liven up the landscape and frame views from different angles.