Recently awarded third prize in the Mobilizarte Mobile Cultural Structure competition, architecture firms FRENTES & PAX.ARQ have shared with us their proposal. Further images, a video and a lengthy narrative from the architects can be found after the jump.
CONCEPT: Transported by 2 containers and designed to be installed in 5 days, which are essential for an ephemeral and itinerant pavilion, our Mobile Cultural Mobilizarte consists primarily of 3 elements:MarksA set of scaffolding towers, lightweight temporary autonomous structures, which are easily assembled, very stable and adaptable to any kind of terrain. Mounted with different heights up to 10 m, their role is to define interior spaces, structuring floors and ramps as well as securing the cover. Their positions shall be defined according to the chosen installation site. Prism Measuring 15m high, built of scaffolding, consisting of four pavements whose floors are sustained by inflatable beams, it is wrapped in a plastic waterproof canvas, besides being the vertical reference of the intervention, transforming the spaces according to its position, like a large panel, it has the function of sheltering areas of technical collection and general storage, also serving as a film projection screen.
On this remarkable and enigmatic white monolith, we are able to project two films simultaneously, on each of its main faces. Isolated or incorporated, “de-territorialized” or telluric, nomad or linked, dependent or autonomous, fixed or dynamic but always resolute, this Prism can be mounted outside or inside, near or far from the Module, forming different and heterogeneous sets, but whose whole shall keep the same character.
Membrane Inspired by two traditional Brazilian elements that serve to cover and protect, which are the crochet, lace and patchwork quilts, and the hollow elements (“cobogós”), construction material that is widely used on the facades of our buildings, we created the main conceptual feature of this Mobilizarte Module: a huge Inflatable Membrane, dramatically shaping the inner and outer spaces through its undulating movements, refusing to settle down and yearning to be mutant. Its primary function is to cover and protect from the weather. Tilted, tumbled, hung, laid, stretched, twirled and languidly spread, during the day this area of ” inflatable fabric ” will shade the space; at night it will become a source of lighting, a huge floating body hovering above the ground.
Its spatial rhythm will create striking perspectives for those who see it from afar as well as for those inside it.Adapting itself to the spatial context of each site, this Mobilizarte Module can be installed as an independent space on flat or inclined grounds, incorporated to an existing building, absorbing it symbiotically or can be attached to the building, as its extension. Throughout the several installation possibilities conveying different shapes for the whole, this Module is designed to be ideal for cultural events in each of the 10 feature cities. Highly flexible, the spaces may be altered, densified, dissolved, recombined, renewed or suppressed as to give rise to forms that meet the needs over time, becoming an alive ‘open work’.
There will never be an equal display of the Mobilizarte Module in different cities. Even integrated and interdependent, each one of the three basic elements will establish its own relationship with the site where it is installed.Resonant, the project is based on a system able to be transformed over time and space, assuming several characteristics and extraordinary shapes.- 3 elements impregnated with much significance.- 2 overlapping dreams.- 1 Dream come through
MATERIALS: Transportation: 3 containers – the first will carry scaffolding and other steel accessories; the second will carry all inflatable and folding elements (24 -12x12m- modules of the inflatable cover membrane + 50 units of inflatable beams + 650 m² of plastic canvas); the third one will carry floor panels and polycarbonate closings.Facade: polycarbonate panels + high strength plastic canvas Roof: inflatable membrane. (24 -12x12m- modules, in that 6 modules feature double layer of protection against rain and UV rays)Floor: wall type floor panels or similar Primary Structure: scaffolding.Secondary Structure: inflatable beams with tensairity technology.
SIZE: Exhibition area: 550 m²(of the 550 m², 140 m² represents the mezzanine area we have created within this space)Covered outdoor area to meet / eat, ticket booth and bookstore spaces: 300 m² Open and shaded outdoor area: 250 m² (not computable)Storage area: 150 m² Total area: 1,000 m² (expandable to 3,500 m², which represents the total size of the inflatable cover membrane. The total area can be reduced without jeopardizing the architectonic quality of the ensemble).
BUDGET: R$ 832.00 / m² Note: Scaffolding purchase cost represents half the cost of scaffolding rental. The choice between purchase or rental shall take into consideration that in case of rental: initial investment is 11% lower, there will be savings in transport and in the purchase of an additional container, as well as incentive to the local economy by hiring a company based in each city.
