How Temporary Pavilions Form Permanent Architecture

By: Chris Melton

While all architecture is unique, one type of architecture that is unique in both its concept of design and construction is pavilion architecture. From design to fruition to deconstruction, pavilion architecture is intended to push the bounds of architecture for a purpose, or to make a statement, albeit if that statement is only made temporarily; What I found the most interesting about pavilion architecture though, was not how many architects chose to represent their specific style or name in their works, but when architects tried to push these boundaries of their architecture through their pavilions, and how when designed successfully, these temporary pavilions often became permanently reconstructed later on.

One of the first projects that we discussed where this became evident, was reconstructed by one of our very own professors, Francesco Saverio Fera. For the 1979-1980 Architecture Biennale of Venice, Aldo Rossi designed 'The Floating Theatre of the World,' shown above; and the result was so critically acclaimed that a tribute to Aldo Rossi and this building was created thirty years later for the 2010 Venice Biennale. What makes this work so great is probably the combination of both historic construction and style in the design. Crafted in a shipyard and towed to the site on the water, this work of architecture was made of heavy wooden construction, similarly to other maritime vessels, in the style of venetian theaters of old. The style of the piece, along with cultural impact of the project are probably the two leading factors to what facilitated its reconstruction nearly twenty-five years later, here in Genova. Without any of the original drawings, the architects involved underwent an intensive case study to rebuild this theatre as one of the premises of the celebrations of "Genova European Capitol of Culture' in 2004, shown below right. This reproduction was reflects the original pavilion both architecturally and structurally.

Another interesting take on pavilion architecture was Mies van der Rohe's German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona, Spain. This pavilion was not intended to house an art though, the pavilion itself was designed to be the exhibit. Taken down not even a year after its construction, this exquisite take on modern architecture was praised for how the pavilion controlled the amount of space in the open plan and the use of continuous turnabouts would lead the visitors throughout the building. While it featured a very minimalist design, Van Der Rohe used very exquisite materials throughout the project, often juxtaposing marble and red onyx walls against each other, while the whole structure lays upon a plinth of travertine. While it is unfortunate that this pavilion was dismantled (as it was meant to be), it is no wonder why a group of Spanish architects used old black-and-white photos, as well as original plans of the pavilion to reconstruct it permanently in 1983, shown below. Now know as The Fundacio Mies Van Der Rohe in Barcelona, the pavilion not only encourages studies on the works of Van Der Rohe and the Modern Movement, but also organizes awards, conferences, exhibitions, and etc.