PROJECT

Architecture – Open Spaces

CO.56

 

  • International Architectural Design Competition.
  • Program: Exhibition Ephemeral Spaces..
  • Site: New York, USA.
  • Surface: Built Area 600 m2.
  • Budget: 20.000 USD.
  • Client: City of New York.
  • Chronology: 2012.

 

The project is a tent without being a tent. It is made by a recycled cardboard modular system, that enables the realization of the covered service units available for the implementation of the Street Fest, 2013 edition.

The guideline of the project is related to the wish to create a new abitable organisms that, within 6 months, will be completely reintegrated in their environment, or available for other uses.

The modular system is composed of two different materials:

  1. Double recycled ribbed cardboard layer, which is cut and folded without using glue or mechanical bonds, to create the habitable base unit, about 215 Square feet.
  2. Steel net with a 3” X 3” grid, which is inserted between the two cardboard Iayers, giving the right stiffening to the structure, also allowing to maintain the fold shape.

This two materials are conceived to respect a 6 months life cycle: first the cardboard, one dismantled the festival, can be easily separated from the steel net, and recycled; then the metallic grid, can be reused as well.

The life of this project is not limited to the 4 days of the Street Fest, but has been Studied to Cover his Complete life Cycle, foreseeing a step in which, after the event, the units could be used to activate social and environmental programs, like the green improvement of downgraded urban areas, or answering to the need for homeless temporary shelters.

The last phase in this units life foresee their complete dismemberment and reuse the recycled materials. The temporary units will disappear to reappear in the shape of new objects useful for the city.