PLY Architecture Ltd.

Shadow Pavilion

Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture

SHADOW PAVILION

PLY Architecture

ARCHITECTS
PLY Architecture

YEAR
2009

LOCATION
United States

CATEGORY
Pavilion

Text description provided by architect.

The Shadow Pavilion explores the paradox of a perforated structure where the removal of material makes a structure lighter and weaker.

Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture
Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture

The Shadow Pavilion, designed for a site at the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens, is both a structure and a space made entirely of holes.

The pavilion surface is made with over 100 aluminum laser cut cones that vary in size.

Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture
Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture

Beyond testing the limits of sheet aluminum, the cones will act to funnel light and sound to the interior space, offering visitors a space to take in the views and sounds of the surrounding landscape.

Organizational schemes for the cones are explored, including the logic behind the concept of phyllotaxis.

Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture
Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture
Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture

In botany, phyllotaxis describes a plant’s spiral packing arrangement of its elements.

The organization of the cones may limit the form, but can strengthen the structure.

The laser cutting process uses the digital design information to precision cut and finish the aluminum cones.The pavilion’s surface will maintain the natural aluminum finish and smooth edges resulting from the laser cutter.

Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture


Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture
Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture
Shadow Pavilion
Courtesy of PLY Architecture


Shadow Pavilion
Axon
Shadow Pavilion
Model


Shadow Pavilion
Section 01
Shadow Pavilion
Section 02

Shadow Pavilion
Site plan

PLY Architecture Ltd.
T +61 8 82952644
PLY Architecture Ltd.
120 Partridge St, Glenelg South SA 5045, Australia