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Report: Air Forest Pavilion in Denver

This historic city park is on the eastern edge of Denver's central business district. Its vast expanses of grass and clusters of trees provide the perfect setting for Air Forest. In August 2008, a temporary pavilion was erected for the festival Dialog:City. The Korean architecture firm Mass Studies was commissioned to create a sheltered space for public events. To ensure that the structure leaves no traces when the event concludes, the roof was to be as light as possible. In addition, it had to be set up and dismantled quickly. The architects designed a pneumatic membrane structure of considerable size: 4 metres above the ground, this 56-metre-long and 25-metre-wide canopy - recalling the crowns of trees - seems to fill in the clearing. From a worm's perspective, the roof structure appears irregular and organic. Only when viewed in elevation is the geometry's rigour apparent. Nine hexagonal rings are linked up, whereby three of the circular inner fields are open to the sky and six are enclosed. At the centre of each enclosed element is a drainage hose; the three open rings provide ventilation and bright patches of sunshine. The hexagonal honeycombs have a column at each corner. By overlaying adjacent elements, the number of columns was reduced from 54 to 35. The pneumatic structure's surface - a single, translucent, air-tight nylon membrane - is imprinted for solar-protection; the irregular pattern contributes to the overall dynamic impression. The column footings are filled with sand in order to guarantee a stable base. Inflation equipment is situated atop 14 of the 35 column footings and continuously blows air from below into the membrane. Flood lights integrated in the base of these "air columns" transform the pavilion into a glowing sculpture at night. Visitors to the park who see the ephemeral structure being inflated witness the greatest spectacle of all. Once the weighted-down column footings and the fans are positioned on the lawn, the membrane is spread out and each hose-like column is fastened to the respective foundation. Air is gradually pumped into the synthetic skin, transforming it from a limp sack into a swollen figure. When the air cools in the evening, the pavilion sways gently in the wind.

Report: Air Forest Pavilion in Denver
© Jason Walp

This historic city park is on the eastern edge of Denver’s central business district. Its vast expanses of grass and clusters of trees provide the perfect setting for Air Forest. In August 2008, a temporary pavilion was erected for the festival Dialog:City. The Korean architecture firm Mass Studies was commissioned to create a sheltered space for public events. To ensure that the structure leaves no traces when the event concludes, the roof was to be as light as possible. In addition, it had to be set up and dismantled quickly. The architects designed a pneumatic membrane structure of considerable size: 4 metres above the ground, this 56-metre-long and 25-metre-wide canopy – recalling the crowns of trees – seems to fill in the clearing. From a worm’s perspective, the roof structure appears irregular and organic. Only when viewed in elevation is the geometry’s rigour apparent. Nine hexagonal rings are linked up, whereby three of the circular inner fields are open to the sky and six are enclosed. At the centre of each enclosed element is a drainage hose; the three open rings provide ventilation and bright patches of sunshine. The hexagonal honeycombs have a column at each corner. By overlaying adjacent elements, the number of columns was reduced from 54 to 35. The pneumatic structure’s surface – a single, translucent, air-tight nylon membrane – is imprinted for solar-protection; the irregular pattern contributes to the overall dynamic impression. The column footings are filled with sand in order to guarantee a stable base. Inflation equipment is situated atop 14 of the 35 column footings and continuously blows air from below into the membrane. Flood lights integrated in the base of these “air columns” transform the pavilion into a glowing sculpture at night. Visitors to the park who see the ephemeral structure being inflated witness the greatest spectacle of all. Once the weighted-down column footings and the fans are positioned on the lawn, the membrane is spread out and each hose-like column is fastened to the respective foundation. Air is gradually pumped into the synthetic skin, transforming it from a limp sack into a swollen figure. When the air cools in the evening, the pavilion sways gently in the wind.

Gallery

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