SLOW architects design vanke pavilion for the world horticulture expo

‘show area of vanke’ by SLOW architects, tsingdao, china
all images courtesy of SLOW architects

chinese practice SLOW architects has recently constructed the vanke pavilion for the 2014 world horticultural exposition in tsingdao. the timber framed structure serves as a cafeteria and gathering space next to an athletic field where several sporting events take place. the douglass fir beams and columns create four subtle hyperbolic canopies supported around two feet above the structure’s walls. the cafe takes on a partially enclosed nature, offering a protected space in which to relax, eat, and drink, and at the same time is very open to the adjacent venue and open-air courtyard. each prefabricated partition exhibits a new use of common wooden planks, from a three-dimensional patchwork of various dimensions and tones to a more traditional vertical board and batten wall. the entire pavilion is demountable and recyclable, and will in fact be moved as is to a new location by the building’s sponsor, vanke.

courtyard and entrance

two large pink barn doors open the primary entrance into the cafe area

the post and beam timber canopy sits independently of the walls and seating areas

interior courtyard

interior courtyard illuminated

model

roof structure

floor plan / level 0

project info:

name: show area of vanke in tsingdao world horticultural exposition 2014
designer: slow architects    www.slowarchitects.com
location: tsingdao
floor area: approx. 300m2
completion:2013