'youturn pavilion' by UNstudio at the 29th art biennale in sao paulo, brazil
all images courtesy UNstudio


'youturn pavilion' by amsterdam-based architecture firm UNstudio is one of six conceptual 'terrieros'
created for the 29th art biennale in sao paulo, brazil. located at the heart of the biennale, the installation
operates primarily as a venue or a nodal point within the biennale's context, inviting the public to meet,
orientate and observe within its program. the design aims to provoke interaction between both the participants
and visitors of the biennale, creating a place for display, discussion, and debate.



interior view


the pavilion forms the 'I am the street' terriero, one of six conceptual groupings of integrated curatorial
space at the biennale.  a manifestation of the convergence of path and destination,  the form is derived
from the dynamic movements and circulatory routes defined by the visitors traveling through spaces of expression,
interpretation, and contemplation. the centripetal movement and form of the structure wraps and encircles
the users from the surrounding space, while simultaneously creating a central void; the focal point where all lines,
surfaces and viewpoints converge. the resulting installation plays with the crossing points between movement and display.



the interior pivots around a central circle


the pavilion places itself between artwork, installation and architecture, operating as both a form and a functional
structure performing as an activator of events:

'it is a wonderful quality in architecture today; that it can perform on so many levels and that there is cultural
acceptance again for this richness of meanings and readings. architecture can have its cultural expression in
a similar way to how art is perceived or interpreted. the metaphorical interpretation of spaces can be similar
to the reading of piece of art, so the mechanics and the approach can be similar, but the outcomes are
of course different.' -ben van berkel



entrance



the pavilion as a meeting place



opening into the interior



ridged exterior



renderings of pavilion


diagram of the pavilion's design and form