This structure is multifunctional, Shade School Playground Pavilion serves both as a shading device for the elementary school playground and creates a cultural event space. The parameters which guided the design came from both the site and the client. The school wanted the structure to create as much shade without stepping into the actual courtyard. All footings had to be placed outside onto the grass.
© Nyan Zay Htet
The structure was designed to maximize shading; we used a ladybug on a grasshopper to calculate the percentage of direct light exposure to guarantee performance. The outline of the courtyard has a singular curvature, which we used to determine the overall layout and which inspired the curvy movements of the structure.
© Nyan Zay Htet
The spacing of the footings was determined by the entrance of the adjacent building which opens to the courtyard, this allows the architectural intervention to align itself with the context and create a very fitting effect with the site. The coconut tree which we wanted to keep marks the end of the linear structure. During culture events, the structure becomes a decorative backdrop which also accommodates for booths and exhibitors.
Project Info
Architects: Blue Temple
Area: 127 m²
Year: 2023
Country: Yangon, Myanmar
Photographs: Nyan Zay Htet
Lead Architect: Raphaël Ascoli
Contractors: Monkey Joint – Bamboo Players
Architect: Bhone Mo Win Khet
Bamboo Technician: Kyaw Zin Latt
Sophie Tremblay is a Montreal-based architectural editor and designer with a focus on sustainable urban development. A McGill University architecture graduate, she began her career in adaptive reuse, blending modern design with historical structures. As a Project Editor at Arch2O, she curates stories that connect traditional practice with forward-thinking design. Her writing highlights architecture's role in community engagement and social impact. Sophie has contributed to Canadian Architect and continues to collaborate with local studios on community-driven projects throughout Quebec, maintaining a hands-on approach that informs both her design sensibility and editorial perspective.