'pines sanctuary', an arboreal architectural labyrinth that mimics mother nature

nestled along the banks of the historic credit river in mississauga, ontario, the scenic riverwood conservancy is the home to a new, engaging architectural landmark. MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY has devised ‘a tree unlike other trees’ that indicates the entrance to the park, and provides a unique spatial experience for visitors to wander through and enjoy. named ‘pine sanctuary’, the colossal architectural object subtly blends into its surroundings, borrowing patterns and textures from its picturesque natural environment. juxtaposing this organic aesthetic are the pavilion’s vivid colors, which pop in gradients of aqua, chartreuse, and cyan.

image courtesy of MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY (also main image)

lying at a scale between sculpture and architecture, ‘pine sanctuary’ is playful and mystical, inviting both curiosity and contemplation. MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY has designed the structure with a delaminated, double-layered skin and system of branches that rotate around a center point. the overall geometry is comprised of an aggregation of weeping ‘macro shingles’, which resolve into branches that lightly meet the ground. its crown branches into several feet that create a hollow labyrinth through which one can slip in, out and around.

image courtesy of MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY

dedicated to the practice of innovative building systems, the studio adopted a form-finding process that derives from the elastic deformation of a plate element. here, ‘bending-active’ refers to the behavior of 2mm thick aluminum stripes that assume curvature to gain structural performance. this thin metal allowed the design and fabrication team to create a hybrid structure: most of the stripes bend into place while also connecting to a thin spine made from folded plates. the pieces are laminated in multiple directions to create the curvilinear form of each component. finally, both linear stripes and arching components are laser cut from thin-gauge aluminum sheets and painted with fours shades of green, a blue, black and white to produce a dynamic coloration.

image courtesy of light monkey photography

‘pine sanctuary’ sees the accumulation of 3,161 unique stripes to host activities and events at the riverwood conservancy. day or night, this arboreal pavilion anticipates diverse occupations — when and how you choose to spend time there is up to you.

image courtesy of light monkey photography

image courtesy of light monkey photography

image courtesy of light monkey photography

image courtesy of light monkey photography

image courtesy of light monkey photography

image courtesy of light monkey photography

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project info: 

title: pine sanctuary
location: mississauga, ON, canada
dimensions: 26’ h x 20’ w x 20’ d
parts: 3,161 ‘structural stripes’ in 2mm aluminum
design/build by: MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY 
commissioned by: city of mississauga, public art collection
engineering by: LaufsED