ARCH7111_W2_Analysis_2008

43th Competition Theme: Architecture Coexisting with World Heritage Site

Tittle: Plug in Pavillion

Year: 2008

Designer: René Davids, Taylor Medlin (Davids Killory Architecture, USA)

Analysis:

The theme of the 43th Central Glass International Architectural Design Competition is the preparations of new architectural works in a world heritage site. The essential problem is to reconcile the conflict between new architecture and the site with strong historical characters. The winning entry named Plug in Pavilion by René Davids and Taylor Medlin represented a direct solution to the theme. In the entry, Vaparaiso which is a seaport in Chile has been assumed as the specific site. The concept of ‘Plug-in’ is quite simple and clear - adjustable pavilions were plugged in the site and buildings. The building itself was designed as a solid volume plugged by several transparent glass bubbles. A creative idea is that the device has a wind turbine floating in the air which is used to catch the wind and transform it to the electrical power used in the building. This idea is environmental friendly and takes the advantage of the strong wind condition of the seaport site. There is a lot of information on the presentation panel. René Davids and Taylor Medlin referenced the plug-in-power to make the idea be easy to understand and interesting. Diagrams and symbols were well used to present information clearly. An interesting result picture of a lot of wind turbines floating in the air was present as the background.

Key point:

-Clear and humorous diagrammatic representation (Use diagrams and symbols)

-Concept is clear and strong (one concept ‘plug-in’ from start to the end)

-Idea is simple but interesting and practical (Wind turbine floating in the air)

-Solve the problem directly and relate to the hot issue (environmental friendly

Design)

-Elegant presentation with a lot of information (image and colour composition)