Synthesis Design + Architecture has been named the winner of the “Switch to Pure Volvo” International Design pavilion competition sponsored by Volvo Car Italia and The Plan Magazine.
Volvo’s “Switch to Pure Volvo” competition, organized by international architecture magazine THE PLAN, called for an innovative and original design for a temporary pavilion
that expressed a “strong and creative identity” to showcase the car at fairs and open air presentations in Italian squares.
SDA’s approach was to use the car’s design as a flexible and sustainable vehicle as the basis to reimagine the typical trade show pavilion. Toward this end, SDA emphasized the qualities of dynamic form, interactivity, visual impact, functionality, and efficiency to create a novel temporary structure that while iconic also offers high-performance. The design integrates structure, form, and performance by utilizing a continuous organic form composed of HDPE mesh fabric with integrated photovoltaic panels tensioned over carbon fiber rods. In fact, the digitally designed contours of the mesh fabric are what bend the rods into their curvy forms. The result calls
to mind the image of an elegantly diaphanous orchid.
The project is currently in development and will open in Rome, Italy on September 15, 2013.
