people’s architecture office develops modular tangram canopy

people’s architecture office develops modular tangram canopy
all images courtesy of people’s architecture office

the beijing-based people’s architecture office has developed a modular roof structure that references the tangram, a chinese game that features individual triangular pieces which can be rearranged into various forms. the canopy’s flat roof ensures that the single modules are not dependent on orientation, meaning that the resultant spaces are infinitely expandable in all directions.

the modular roof structure references the tangram, a chinese game that features individual triangular pieces

the design consists of truss-like L-shaped units made from 10mm thick steel rods. the lightness of the structure allows it to blend into the background, while the canopy appears to float above. additionally, the long spans provide flexible open spaces with minimal obstructions, ideal for a variety of events. the tangram canopy debuted as a covered market for the 2014 coart festival in the chinese town of lijiang, yunnan.

the canopy’s flat roof ensures that the single modules are not dependent on orientation

the design consists of truss-like L-shaped units made from 10mm thick steel rods

long spans provide flexible open spaces with minimal obstructions

the lightness of the structure allows it to blend into the background, while the canopy floats above

the canopy being fixed in place

the design boasts an endless array of configurations

project info:

client: coart
location: lijiang, yunnan province
material: steel and PVC
date of completion: november, 2014
principal: he zhe, james shen, zang feng
project team: jiang hao, gao tianxia, lin tianquan
photography: people’s architecture office (PAO)