toyo ito erects rinbu, a bamboo installation at gwangju design biennale

toyo ito erects rinbu, a bamboo installation at gwangju design biennale
image © designboom

toyo ito is recognized for his poetic sensibilities, and ability in translating nature into architecture. his specially commissioned installation ‘rinbu’ for the 2015 gwangju design biennale in korea is no different.

situated at the heart of the venue’s central plaza, the spiraling bamboo work draws its influences from the nearby sosaewon garden in damyang county — a greenspace built by poet yang san-bo (1503-1557) because he wanted to live a life that was harmonious with nature, secluded among a bamboo forest with clean waters from the valley flowing through a small cataract into the lake beyond.

architect toyo ito
portrait © designboom

ito has interpreted the sosaewon garden into an artificial bamboo forest, reinforced by birch and steel. three levels of plywood paths are layered to create an open canopy, as well tables and ample seating in which the public and biennale visitors are invited to sit and reflect. these meandering paths are held in place by approximately 200 bamboo poles, which at their peaks are separated and shaped by floral-like gestures, recalling the lush woodland that surrounds sosaewon garden. green grassy islands demarcate the space, and are landscaped with flowers and rocks, offering a place of serenity within the city.

three levels of wooden paths function as a seating, tables and an open canopy
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because of its location, with beautiful scenic sites, natural landscapes and the mudeungsan mountain as its backdrop, gwangju was once home to many poets and artists, as it offered a setting where they could be lost in meditation, and adore the starry sky and moon by night. with ‘rinbu’ toyo ito hopes to provide visitors a space in which they too can contemplate and discuss the works on show as part of the biennale.

‘rinbu’ is an artificial bamboo forest that offers the public to sit and reflect
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200 bamboo poles create the appearance of a forest, recalling the nearby sosaewon garden
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view into the spiralling bamboo installation
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view into ‘rinbu’ and its meandering plywood paths
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‘rinbu’ sits within the gwangju biennale centre’s plaza
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‘rinbu’ by toyo ito for the 2015 gwangju design biennale
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‘rinbu’ with the gwangju biennale centre at its back
image © designboom