orange tensile membrane attaches to curved steel pipes shaping eddy pavilion in shanghai

tension cables, steel pipes, and tensile membranes form a self-balancing structure.

atelier zeros edited by christina vergopoulou April 24, 2024 4 min

Atelier Zeros settles Eddy Pavilion along Shanghai’s riverfront

Atelier Zeros designs the Eddy Pavilion for the 2023 Head of Shanghai River Regatta and the HiTIME estate. Positioned at the intersection of the Suzhou and Huangpu Rivers on the northern Bund of Shanghai, the pavilion benefits from a dynamic environment and a historic architectural backdrop. The design by Atelier Zeros aims to capture the energy of rowing competitions, highlighting the collective achievements of participants while also reflecting Shanghai’s architectural heritage.

The design is inspired by the interaction between rowers and water, particularly the eddies created by oars in motion. Using computer algorithms, the architects generated three Möbius strips that form the pavilion’s structure. Each strip represents individual athletic effort, and together, they symbolize interconnectedness. This creates an abstract whirlpool along the Suzhou River bank, shaping a unique circular visual pathway.

orange tensile membrane attaches to curved steel pipes shaping eddy pavilion in shanghai - 1 — all images by Zhu Qingyan

three Möbius strips form Eddy Pavilion’s abstract structure

Throughout the two-day exhibition, the pavilion’s open boundaries and warm orange hues invite visitors to enter and stroll beneath the structure and experience urban architecture, streets, waterways, and rowing races on the water. The edges of the Möbius strips are curved steel pipes subjected to bending, shearing, and torsional forces. After segmentation, these pipes are CNC bent and connected by flanges, while the tensile membrane is processed and attached to the pipes on-site. The tension cables, steel pipes, and tensile membrane form a self-balancing structure, with a steel base allowing for detachment from the ground.

The translucent, waterproof tensile membranes create an orange cover that aligns with the brand’s color and the energetic atmosphere of the rowing race. Prefabricated modules allow for quick on-site assembly within one and a half days, and the pavilion can be disassembled and reused after the event.

orange tensile membrane attaches to curved steel pipes shaping eddy pavilion in shanghai - 2 — Eddy Pavilion stands at the intersection of the Suzhou and Huangpu Rivers on the northern Bund of Shanghai

orange tensile membrane attaches to curved steel pipes shaping eddy pavilion in shanghai - 3 — the pavilion’s structure consists of three Möbius strips, representing interconnectedness

orange tensile membrane attaches to curved steel pipes shaping eddy pavilion in shanghai - 4 — the design captures the energy of rowing competitions, creating an abstract whirlpool

orange tensile membrane attaches to curved steel pipes shaping eddy pavilion in shanghai - 5 — warm orange hues of the pavilion’s translucent tensile membranes invite visitors inside

orange tensile membrane attaches to curved steel pipes shaping eddy pavilion in shanghai - 6 — visitors can stroll beneath the structure and observe urban architecture, streets, and waterways

orange tensile membrane attaches to curved steel pipes shaping eddy pavilion in shanghai - 7 — the pavilion’s open boundaries provide an immersive experience reminiscent of rowing races on water

orange tensile membrane attaches to curved steel pipes shaping eddy pavilion in shanghai - 8 — curved steel pipes form the edges of the Möbius strips, withstanding bending, shearing, and torsional forces

orange tensile membrane attaches to curved steel pipes shaping eddy pavilion in shanghai - 9 — CNC-bent steel pipes are connected by flanges, supporting the pavilion’s structure

orange tensile membrane attaches to curved steel pipes shaping eddy pavilion in shanghai - 10 — tension cables, steel pipes, and tensile membranes form a self-balancing structure

atelier-zeros-eddy-pavilion-shanghai-designboom-1800-1 — prefabricated modules enable quick on-site assembly within just one and a half days

project info:

name: The Eddy Pavilion · 2023 Head of Shanghai River Regatta 
designer: Atelier Zeros

design team: Lin Yilin, Zheng Yupeng, Yang Lu, Han Cancan

structural consultant: XinY Engineering Consultant

construction team: Shanghai Taiyo Kogyo Co. Ltd
lighting consultant: Lumia Lab
client: Hitime

area: 90 sqm
location: North Bund, Shanghai, China

photography: Zhu Qingyan

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