‘ultralight centrifugal pavilion’ by clavel arquitectos, shenzhen, china image © designboom

spanish practice clavel arquitectos has created ‘ultralight centrifugal pavilion’, an interactive installation in the shenzhen civic square for the 2011 shenzhen & hong kong bi-city biennale of urbanism \ architecture. three umbrella-like elements are connected to self-propelled merry-go-round found in children’s playgrounds. as visitors spin the carousels, the poles of the umbrellas begin to turn, and the red fabric of the canopy begins to undulate and wave. a gold lining, illuminated by lights at night, is revealed to individuals sitting within the cluster of rotating units.

video © cristobal palma directed and filmed by cristobal palma, edited by gonzalo aburto

video © cristobal palma directed and filmed by cristobal palma, edited by gonzalo aburto

clavel arquitectos: ultralight centrifugal pavilionimage © designboom

clavel arquitectos: ultralight centrifugal pavilionimage © designboom

clavel arquitectos: ultralight centrifugal pavilionimage © designboom

clavel arquitectos: ultralight centrifugal pavilionimage © designboom

clavel arquitectos: ultralight centrifugal pavilionimage © designboom

clavel arquitectos: ultralight centrifugal pavilionimage © designboom

the 2011 SZHK biennale in shenzhen, china ran from december 8th through december 11th 2011. the scale of certain projects is such that the architect becomes not only a designer of buildings but also city planner and landscape architect and the shenzhen & hong kong bi-city biennale of urbanism \ architecture reflects this in its theme: architecture creates cities – cities create architecture. the SZHK biennale is the first to focus on urbanism as an ongoing theme to explore issues of the city as an active agent in contemporary culture. the program included more than 30 exhibitions, symposiums, panel discussions and performances. terence riley has been appointed chief curator (he is the first international curator for the event). the hong kong edition will work to complement the shenzhen biennale in an integrative way and is curated by gene king and anderson lee currently under preparation and due to open in february 2012. designboom is the principal international media partner of the SZHK biennale.