Pavilions offer architects a unique opportunity to experiment, serving as compact spaces that push the boundaries of design and spatial concepts. Free from many conventional functional constraints, these structures allow for artistic expression and the testing of new technologies. Pavilions often act as living laboratories of architecture, positioned in public or cultural contexts. They transform their surroundings into interactive, memorable experiences, providing a stage for architects to showcase their most innovative ideas. In recent years, climate responsiveness has emerged as a crucial focus in pavilion design. By using temporary structures as a testing ground for more sustainable practices, architects can experiment with alternative materials and environmentally conscious approaches that address the climate crisis.
These pavilions demonstrate how design can mitigate climate challenges, employing recyclable, low-impact, or adaptive materials to promote eco-conscious living. Through these innovations, pavilions illustrate how architecture can adapt to and reflect changing environmental needs, providing a blueprint for future sustainable building practices. Whether it is a floating forest pavilion aiming to engage biodiversity through its flora and fauna, or a timber facade in Germany experimenting with natural ventilation, pavilions can potentially become a testing ground for climate responsiveness and correction.
This curated collection by ArchDaily focuses on how these projects redefine the role of pavilions in advancing architectural practice and addressing pressing environmental challenges through bold, imaginative design.
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Pavilions in Urban Spaces: On the Experimentation, Recycling, and Reuse of MaterialsFloating Forest / Stefano Boeri Interiors
Located along Milano's waterways, this floating installation creates a biodiverse ecosystem by integrating a curated selection of native trees and plants on a floating platform. The project transforms the urban waterfront into a green lung, offering a rare blend of ecological and architectural intervention within a dense cityscape. The Floating Forest serves as a living laboratory for biodiversity and a calming respite for city dwellers, all while highlighting the potential for water-based green infrastructure to mitigate urban heat and support ecological resilience. Its thoughtful design emphasizes the integration of natural habitats within built environments, creating a dynamic space that adapts to and reflects its surrounding ecosystem.
3DPA Forest Campus by IAAC & 3DPA
Situated in the Valldaura forest near Barcelona, Spain, this pavilion integrates large-scale 3D printing with biodegradable materials sourced from the surrounding area. The structure exemplifies a circular design philosophy, minimizing material waste while embracing local resources. Its construction process and materiality emphasize a thoughtful response to the natural setting, blending technological innovation with a commitment to sustainability. The campus reflects a broader effort to reimagine how architecture can harmonize with nature, illustrating the capacity for context-sensitive designs that prioritize environmental stewardship and reduce carbon footprints.
HygroSkin-Meteorosensitive Pavilion / Achim Menges Architect + Oliver David Krieg + Steffen Reichert
Located in Stuttgart, Germany, this pavilion exemplifies adaptive architecture with its timber envelope that responds to humidity changes. The wood components autonomously adjust their apertures, allowing for natural ventilation and reducing dependence on mechanical systems for climate control. This responsive design approach explores how architecture can integrate with the environment through passive climate adaptability, harnessing the inherent properties of natural materials. By blurring the line between static and dynamic design, it offers a compelling example of how climate-responsive structures can enhance user comfort while conserving energy.
Vert Installation / Diez Office + OMC°C
Situated in London, this installation features a modular design that integrates greenery to optimize microclimatic conditions. With strategically placed plants to enhance shade, cooling, and air quality, VERT transforms public space into a climate-responsive environment. The use of adaptable, sustainable materials allows the installation to fit various settings, promoting interaction and flexibility. Blending nature and design exemplifies how small-scale, temporary interventions can create more comfortable and climate-adaptive public spaces, fostering an improved connection between urban life and environmental health.
This article is part of an ArchDaily curated series that focuses on built projects from our database grouped under specific themes related to cities, typologies, materials, or programs. Every month, we will highlight a collection of structures that find a common thread between previously uncommon contexts, unpacking the depths of influence on our built environments. As always, at ArchDaily, we highly appreciate the input of our readers. If you think we should mention specific ideas, please submit your suggestions.
