CLOU architects' jianzi pavilion for beijing design week

beijing design week: CLOU architects completes jianzi pavilion with 15,000 featherballs
(above) photo by cristiano bianchi

on an empty plot in beijing’s historic baitasi district, CLOU architects highlights the rich qualities of the city’s spontaneous and dynamic public spaces, where urban interventions engage the community as platforms for interaction and activity.

on the occasion of beijing design week 2015, the international practice presents the ‘jianzi box’ pavilion made from the very materials that inform the everyday life of the area’s vibrant social sector — ‘jianzi’ (毽子). this traditional folk sport dating back to the han dynasty sees players use their bodies to keep a heavily weighted, badminton-like birdie from hitting the ground, in turn transforming any disused space into an impromptu playground.

the pavilion made from the very materials that inform up the life of the area’s vibrant social sector
photo by shu he

in the design of the pavilion, CLOU architects reconsiders the traditional context and use of the playful featherball as an architectural material, forming a façade from 15,000 colorful jianzi that extend over a steel frame. the pavilion has been built on a formerly abandoned plot in the historic hutong district, in turn creating a new public area for both locals and visitors to experience and enjoy.

features of the installation include a series of swings that hang from the ceiling and ample internal space that provides room for movie screenings, yoga classes, lectures and reading sessions. each of the features engage visitors on both a physical and emotional level, forming not only an architectural intervention within the urban setting, but an experiential and sensory experience for everyone that encounters it.

the urban interventions engages the community as a platform for interaction and activity
photo by shu he

visitors and passersby are invited to pluck one of the jianzi from the mesh shell and collect it as a reminder of their encounter with the space. at the site of the installation, everyone from hutong locals to wandering foreigners can be observed interacting with pavilion’s tactile walls, some snatching a feathery item and starting up an impromptu game, others saving it as a souvenir to bring safely away with them.

CLOU architects aims to pass the tradition on to both members of the community, who wish to play, and travelers across the world, who can share a piece of the experience with their own neighbors and social groups.

15,000 colorful jianzi extend over a steel frame
photo by shu he