Location:

Bethnal Green, London, UK

Area: 

1000 sqm

Architects in Charge: 

Georgios Makridis

Marialena Byrou

Competition entry. Triumph Pavilion, London 2015.

A space for discussion, leisure and relaxation the “Earth to Sky Pavilion” offers retreat and seclusion at the same time that it comfortablyaccommodates the visitors who may want to spend time inside. Paramount to its design concept is the child’s hideout, a facility of protection, thought and imagination but also one that utilises found materials.

The use of a single surface material is crucial to the sense of place, as the neutrality is considered an important factor of calmness and serenity. The volumesallow for a solitary entrance and exit passage on the South East, create a filtering element off the centre of the space and leave space for congregation facing the afternoon sun. Surfaces are inclined in a manner that is inviting for leisure or action according to the preference of the user, however the height of the surrounding wall does not allow view outside the pavilion, other than the one toward the sky.

The whole is constructed as a reinforced soil wall of a 13m diameter with the use of hollow core retaining blocks. Layering of the blocks, filling of the voids and subsequent layering of the grass should be done by the same group of people. The idea is for the hollow core blocks and the new soil to be taken away and be reused, at the same time that the the grass will remain on site to cover the footprint of the pavilion (125 + 25 sqm).