PARA-Site is the first life-size prototype of experimental interactive architecture of its type to be developed in Spain. It takes up a surface area of 60.75 square meters (13.5 meters long by 4.5 meters wide) and has been fully designed at ELISAVA’s facilities, both in relation to its design and in relation to its computerization and materialization. Its assembly involves fitting together over 100 prefabricated non-standard parts and around 60 square meters of fiber reinforced composite.
Courtesy of Susana Martins
PARA-Site generates spaces by using materials’ intrinsic characteristics, forming a structure which finds its own equilibrium by superimposing and displacing nodes on parallel bands (form finding). It can increase or reduce the area it takes up based on the number of visitors inside it, optimizing space requirements and thus saving energy.
Ibrahim Abdelhady is an architect, academic, and media entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in architecture and digital publishing. He is the Founder and CEO of Arch2O.com, a leading platform in architectural media, renowned for showcasing innovative projects, student work, and critical discourse in design. Holding dual PhDs in Architecture, Dr. Abdelhady combines academic rigor with industry insight, shaping both future architects and architectural thought. He actively teaches, conducts research, and contributes to the global architecture community through his writing, lectures, and media ventures. His work bridges the gap between practice and academia, pushing the boundaries of how architecture is communicated in the digital age.