'lighter than air' by rachely rotem studio and phu hoang office for SHIFTboston barge 2011 design competition
images courtesy of rachely rotem studio and phu hoang office


rachely rotem studio + phu hoang office together have won a competition organized by SHIFTboston
to design an interactive architectural environment on boston's fort point channel.
the project, entitled 'lighter than air' will temporarily transform the barge into a pop-up public space that gives
the waterfront a new visual presence.



concept rendering


the structure, a three-dimensional camouflaged net, is held in the air by helium-filled weather balloons
that form what is being called a 'camovapor' climate system. visitors are invited to generate 'pedal power'
on a collection of outdoor bicycles that inflate additional weather balloons and transform liquid water into water vapor.
as mist collects and condenses on the cool surfaces of the net and combine with soft harbor breezes,
the organic and porous environment is transformed into a micro-climate zone.



plan


the concept uses principles of atmospheric micro-climates to create a new form of interactive public space,
where the people interact with weather as an ephemeral form of architectural space.



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