spiral bamboo pavilion by uau studio curates educational path on plant life cycle

Sustainable UnSoiled Pavilion Explores Nature’s Cycles

The UnSoiled Pavilion by uau studio presents an exploration of nature’s cyclical processes, focusing on the plant life cycle—from soil to decomposition. Constructed from sustainable bamboo, the pavilion provides an educational experience centered on soil, seeds, growth, and regeneration. Situated at Villa Erba by Lake Como in Italy, UnSoiled was featured at Orticolario 2024, offering an immersive, informative experience that aligns with the surrounding environment. Designed with sustainability as a core principle, the pavilion highlights nature’s inherent beauty while promoting environmental awareness.

The pavilion’s design takes visitors on a concentric journey through the plant life cycle, with the final destination being the base of a living bamboo. The exterior structure, built with bamboo walls of varying heights, represents the plant’s adaptability and sustainability, reflecting the contours of local mountainous topography. Through this immersive space, UnSoiled facilitates a tactile exploration of plant life cycles.

all images courtesy of uau studio

uau studio divides the pavilion according to plant life stages

UnSoiled project by uau studio curates an educational path along the structure of the pavilion. The journey begins at the Soil, Water, and Nutrients Station, which introduces the fundamental elements of plant life. Visitors engage with different soil types, observe water movement through transparent cylinders, and measure soil pH, gaining insight into the essential interactions of these components in supporting growth. The Seed Station emphasizes the diversity of local seeds. Visitors can examine different seed types, collect samples, and take home a piece of the region’s botanical diversity. The path continues to the Seeding and Germination Station, where guests can plant seeds in the soil and observe the initial stages of root growth and germination, fostering a deeper connection to plant development.

At the Growth and Flowering Station, plants at various stages of growth—from budding to flowering—are showcased. This space offers an opportunity to appreciate the vibrancy and complexity of plant life. The Maturation Station features a fully matured bamboo, encircled by benches that provide visitors with a space to pause and reflect in the tranquil setting of Villa Erba Park. The final stop, the Decomposition Station, illustrates the process of decay and renewal. Visitors can observe the organisms thriving within a decaying bamboo trunk, highlighting the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of all living systems.

Thousands of bamboo canes build the UnSoiled Pavilion

The pavilion’s design integrates both aesthetic and functional elements while prioritizing sustainability. The structure is supported by 127 OSB plywood hexagons, ensuring stability and durability. The 1,625 bamboo canes of varying sizes create an organic, dynamic appearance, reminiscent of a bamboo grove. Bamboo’s natural color and texture variations enhance the sensory experience, while its versatility supports sustainability and circularity. Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource with a high annual yield. It acts as a carbon sink, capable of sequestering up to three times more CO₂ than hardwood trees, with a capacity of up to 50 tons per hectare annually. Additionally, bamboo’s lightweight nature reduces construction emissions by minimizing the need for heavy machinery.

The UnSoiled Pavilion offers a journey through the plant life cycle—from soil to fruit, and from decomposition to renewal. This experience enhances understanding of plant biology and fosters appreciation for the interconnectedness of life, emphasizing the beauty found in every stage of nature’s cycles.

the UnSoiled Pavilion by uau studio highlights the cyclical processes of plant life, from soil to decomposition

constructed from sustainable bamboo, the pavilion fosters education on growth and regeneration in nature

located at Villa Erba by Lake Como, the pavilion was a feature of Orticolario 2024

a concentric journey through the plant life cycle culminates at a living bamboo centerpiece

bamboo’s natural variations in texture and color elevate the pavilion’s sensory experience

wooden connectors ensure stability while enhancing the pavilion’s structural design

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connectors

seed station

seeds detail

seeds

construction

assembling

drawings of the UnSoiled Pavilion

modules types of the UnSoiled Pavilion

visitor journey of the UnSoiled Pavilion

site plan of the UnSoiled Pavilion

project info:

name: The UnSoiled Pavilion
architect: uau studio | @uaustudiodesign

design team: Gianluca Santosuosso, Virginia Zanuso, Sara Giovinazzo

client: Orticolario | @orticolariocomo

bamboo structure: MadeinBamboo

woodwork: Roncoroni Legno | @roncoronilegno

landscape architect: Virginia Zanuso

location: Cernobbio, Italy

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom