MASS design group: bottle service for MoMA PS1

‘bottle service’ by MASS design group images courtesy of MASS design group

boston and rwanda based MASS design group has designed ‘bottle service’, a proposal for the MoMA and MoMA PS1 ‘young architects program’. the competition, which calls for projects that challenge the concept of installation, gives one winning studio the chance to transform the exterior courtyard at MoMA PS1 in new york city. looking to how the most impermanent of structures can often leave the most lasting and positive impact on a community, the design installation aims to become an experiential and interactive environment.

below the canopy

built from recycled and recyclable materials, the pavilion is an architectural statement that proposes that architecture, if choreographed well, can have lasting environmental, social and economic impact. by establishing collaborations with groups such as the center for architecture foundation, flux factory, the east river development alliance, and emeco, the proposal for the courtyard seeks to build ownership through engagement. the project further involves the community throughout the construction process, engaging them also an ongoing basis through a series of art and architecture workshops that would take place at PS1 over the summer.

bottles are strung onto a system of strings, creating a intimate environment below

by transforming recyclable materials into new forms, ‘bottle service’ transcends junkitecture. plastic bottles are shrink wrapped in a reflective silver coating, transforming them into a refined new raw material. bottles are then strung using a simple system allowing kids and students to participate in the construction. a fabric envelop, made using ‘tyvek’, a waterproof construction material, wraps the suspended form, adding a further layer of form and texture.

aerial view

the canopy structure is comprised of prefabricated aluminum stage trusses that will cycle back into use after the event while the ‘tyvek’ sheething material will all be sent back to the manufacturer DuPont where it will be recycled into plastic furniture-like picnic tables. all 55,500 bottles will be taken by emeco, who manufactures the iconic ‘navy 111‘ out of recycled bottles, to produce a limited edition custom blue ‘MoMA PS1 bottle service chair’ that can be sold. the revenue generated from the chairs will be donated to nonprofits in queens.

exterior view

top view of physical model

side view of physical model

physical model

diagram of investment and return

diagram of material and construction processes

designboom has received this project from our new ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.we have already acquired many submissions, so keep on the lookout for more of your projects to be published in the coming days!