estudio guto requena adds interactive skin to rio olympics 2016 pavilion

sao paulo-based architecture practice estudio guto requena was commissioned to design a pavilion for a brazilian beer brand to host music, parties, DJ’s, and shows. located in the barra olympic park, the primary location for the stadiums in the olympic games rio 2016, the building stands out due to its interactive architectural skin. the outer face of the metallic façade is composed of various colors that suggest diversity. inside, a gigantic surface of mirrors brings up the question of what it would be like to dance inside of a disco ball.

detail image of moving modules over the dancefloor

scattered sensors inside of the dance floor allow the skin created by estudio guto requena to react to stimuli, such as the beat of the music or the excited commotion of people. the interactive architecture is made with around 500 round mirrors that spin, opening, and closing, creating different optic effects. under the sun the pavilion creates graphics with light and shadow on the floor and its surroundings. at night, light cannons dramatically cast an explosive light outside, calling attention as far as the entrance of the site. as emotional architecture, it shivers like an excited body.

to create this experience of design and technology, the studio wanted to provoke the visitors of the largest sporting event on the planet. they wanted to take them from a common place, to stimulate the athlete that exists in everyone, and bring them to a dream state of joy and escapism. the project was possible thanks to the research the studio has been developing for the past 10 years, investigating hybrid architecture, weaving together the concrete and virtual worlds, using sensors and interactive technology to transform our perception of space and sharpen our senses.

the hardware and software necessary to give life to the skin were developed by D3, a producer of interactive installations that work in the intersection of technology, design, and poetry.

front view of the pavilion 

external detail of the modules

corner detail

interactive architectural skin

complete external view of the pavilion with its open modules 

view of the pavilion skin with its closed modules

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.