‘water cathedral’ by GUN architects, santiago, chile image guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo all images courtesy GUN architects

chilean-german practice GUN architects have installed the ‘water cathedral’ in santiago, chile, the winning design proposal from the MoMA young architects program international, a collaboration between the MoMA in new york, MoMA PS1 and chilean platform, constructo. the pavilion is a horizontal nave comprised of suspended vertical elements at various heights and densities, naturally carving spaces. the slender, pyramidal components are made from fabric and concrete to mimic stalactites and stalagmites found in caves.

supported by a minimal external steel framework, the inverted cones are suspended from a wire grid to capture rainwater within a plastic bag. dripping at different pulses and speeds, water drops exit the textile covering to generate a cool atmosphere for visitors beneath the canopy. stalagmites formed with concrete blocks double as benches, strategically placing individuals below the streams of water.

GUN architects: water cathedral entry image guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo

GUN architects: water cathedral components are suspended from a wire grid image guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo

GUN architects: water cathedral (left) concrete blocks placed below the stalactites (right) upward view of canopy images guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo

GUN architects: water cathedral canopy of fabric components reflecting within a pond image guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo

GUN architects: water cathedral stalagmites serve as concrete benches for visitors image guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo

GUN architects: water cathedral canopy image guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo

GUN architects: water cathedral canopy detail image guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo

GUN architects: water cathedral water dripping from a component image guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo

GUN architects: water cathedral water drizzles upon the concrete bench below image guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo

GUN architects: water cathedral open to the sky, plastic cones capture water and slowly release drops over time image guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo

GUN architects: water cathedral canopy without fabric covering image guy wenborne; YAP CONSTRUCTO 2011, courtesy constructo

GUN architects: water cathedral floor plan / level 0

GUN architects: water cathedral elevation

GUN architects: water cathedral elevation

GUN architects: water cathedral elevation

GUN architects: water cathedral structure and weight

GUN architects: water cathedral systems layering

GUN architects: water cathedral forms development

GUN architects: water cathedral curves development

GUN architects: water cathedral component