Temporary pavilions and installations, such as those used in events, exhibitions, or festivals, present themselves as a great challenge when addressing the circular economy in architecture due to their ephemeral condition. It seems contradictory to address resource management and try to extract the maximum value from the materials and minimize waste and pollution while designing a structure that is meant to be used for a limited period of time. However, there are several strategies to rethink the way we are designing these structures in order to promote circularity.
By following certain strategies such as repurposing the components and giving them a new life, keeping the structure and redefining its intended use, or even relocating the pavilions to activate urban life around them; temporary installations can be designed and constructed in a way that helps to create a more sustainable and responsible approach to event and exhibition design, which benefits both the environment and the economy.
Reusing Materials
Furniture Pavilion S and its Afterlife / Rooi Design and Research
This pavilion is designed in a way that makes it possible to easily disassemble and reuse the materials for future projects. It consists of 821 pieces of standard-sized plywood, a widely used construction material. At the end of the exhibition, these plywood pieces are repurposed, bringing to life 410 sets of tables and chairs for rural communities. Each piece can be transformed into a perfect hexagon table or 3 rectangle chairs. furniture which can be combined into different forms to increase interactivity and fun.
A New Purpose
Morocco Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai / OUALALOU+CHOI
After the conclusion of the 2020 Expo, the temporary pavilion is designed to be converted into a housing complex, repurposing it for a new use rather than dismantling it altogether. Existing facilities are set to be thoughtfully adapted into apartments, an 80 m² swimming pool, a fitness club, and a shared lounge. This approach keeps materials and resources in use for as long as possible, while also reducing waste and the environmental impacts associated with new construction.
Relocating Structures
Upcycling Pavilion Icarus Open Air Museum / Barman Architects
This project is part of the MePart program, which aims to give new life to temporary installations and structures produced by major cultural events through a network platform to promote the transition towards a circular economy. It generates new urban scenarios through the relocation of the resources of temporary events. This is a powerful way to engage communities and encourage participation in the preservation of the structure, promoting a sense of community ownership and civic pride, and generating sustainable growth dynamics for the territory.
This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Circular Economy. Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 17, 2023.
