Alga(e)zebo on
london UNITED KINGDOM
One of the Mayor of London’s “Part of Wonder: Incredible
Installations.” Greater London Authority “Look and Celebrations” City
Programme for the 2012 London Olympic & Paralympic Games.
Located at Euston Square Gardens, this installation consists of a large decorative canopy-structure, a Gazebo. The concept of the Gazebo follows an English tradition in which such filigree construction becomes a jewel that punctuates the landscape, creating a small gathering or viewing point that in turn organises the natural setting around it. The steel structure also fits in the tradition of exposed steel paraphernalia—gates, fences, fountains, pipe work, etc.—which distinguishes and enriches so many UK cities. The complex patterns of the surface create a unique ornamental structure that evokes a sense of delicacy and elegance, with an ever-changing effect of light and shadows.
Located at Euston Square Gardens, this installation consists of a large decorative canopy-structure, a Gazebo. The concept of the Gazebo follows an English tradition in which such filigree construction becomes a jewel that punctuates the landscape, creating a small gathering or viewing point that in turn organises the natural setting around it. The steel structure also fits in the tradition of exposed steel paraphernalia—gates, fences, fountains, pipe work, etc.—which distinguishes and enriches so many UK cities. The complex patterns of the surface create a unique ornamental structure that evokes a sense of delicacy and elegance, with an ever-changing effect of light and shadows.
The internal space functions as a sitting facility for visitors to
rest and gather or simply contemplate the surrounding views. The
permeable boundaries of the structure, also allows for an endless play
of framed vistas through and in-between it. The Gazebo also triggers
associations of dynamism, indeterminacy, transparency, as well as
joyfulness, festiveness and community, all of which, combined with the
recyclable materiality and biotechnological augmentation of the
structure makes it a potentially iconic landmark within the London
Olympic setting.
The Alga(e)zebo intertwines human artifice with natural surrounding.
This is achieved in three distinct manners that vary in scale and
effect.
• The irregular outline of the Gazebo allows for trees or taller bushes to grow in between the structure.
• The multifaceted patterns create a scaffold for smaller vegetation to grow into it as a pergola.
• The vertical columns incorporate algae tubes with different strains of locally bred algae that vary in texture and colour. It suggests an Alga(e)zebo.
• The irregular outline of the Gazebo allows for trees or taller bushes to grow in between the structure.
• The multifaceted patterns create a scaffold for smaller vegetation to grow into it as a pergola.
• The vertical columns incorporate algae tubes with different strains of locally bred algae that vary in texture and colour. It suggests an Alga(e)zebo.
All three conditions reflect the complex boundary negotiations that
take place between architecture and nature in our contemporary cities.
There is an aspiration to intermingle and merge these conditions;
architecture is behaving and looking more like biological construct,
whilst nature is manipulated via human interference.
The installation makes a statement of the use of state-of-the-art
technology along with interdisciplinary work methodologies. The design,
with its complex geometry and perforated motifs, is originated from the
implementation of sophisticated digital media processes by London-based
practice marcosandmarjan. Bespoke algorithmic and parametric scripting
programmes by the renowned engineering practice
Bollinger-Grohmann-Schneider allow for the maximisation and design
efficiency of two-dimensional processes (nesting scripting) and
structural integrity in three dimensions (topological projections).
World leading company CSI guarantees the construction out of
double-curved welded steel panels manufactured from recycled steel. The
resulting shell plates are then laser cut by CNC (computer-numerically
controlled) machines. Consultants from the Algae group at University
College London are responsible for growing and monitoring the algae
tubes.
Team///
Architecture:
marcosandmarjan architects, The Bartlett, UCL, London
Marjan Colletti & Marcos Cruz.
marcosandmarjan architects, The Bartlett, UCL, London
Marjan Colletti & Marcos Cruz.
Engineering:
Bollinger-Grohmann-Schneider engineers, Vienna, Austria.
Bollinger-Grohmann-Schneider engineers, Vienna, Austria.
Manufacturing:
Formstaal GmbH & Co. KG , Stralsund, Germany.
Formstaal GmbH & Co. KG , Stralsund, Germany.
Photobioreactor technology:
Richard Beckett, DMC London.
UCL Algal Biotechnology , London.
Richard Beckett, DMC London.
UCL Algal Biotechnology , London.
Special thanks to:
The UCL algal research group, Algae@UCL: Dr Saul Purton, Marco Lizzul, Lamya A Haj, Laura Stoffels, and Joaana Szaub.
Joanne Field at the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, Scottish Marine Institute.
The UCL algal research group, Algae@UCL: Dr Saul Purton, Marco Lizzul, Lamya A Haj, Laura Stoffels, and Joaana Szaub.
Joanne Field at the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, Scottish Marine Institute.
Photos: Bread
