françois perrin builds 'air houses' for chicago architecture biennial

for the second edition of the chicago architecture biennial, on view until january 7, 2018, françois perrin has developed a series of structures that re-examine traditional climate-responsive construction. the project, titled ‘air houses: design for a new climate’, explores a new kind of architecture that engages with economic and environmental realities against a backdrop of climate change, energy crisis, population growth, and political uncertainty.

the structures re-examine traditional climate-responsive construction

for the 2017 chicago architecture biennial, françois perrin — a french, LA-based architect — has installed a series of geometric forms within the garfield park conservatory’s palm house. perrin’s design responds to the building, and its microclimate, with a full-scale built experiment that suggests a new direction for building in harmony with nature. influenced by the korowai tree houses of papua new guinea, the lightweight, fabric structures reference vernacular traditions while prototyping a new direction for the design and fabrication of buildings.

the scheme explores a kind of architecture that engages with economic and environmental realities

the project seeks to empower a typology of architecture that works with nature, rather than against it. throughout history, civilizations have traditionally built sustainably, utilizing local materials and engineering techniques. françois perrin argues that this approach shifted with the birth of modernism. ‘even if the early ideas of the movement were concerned with air quality and light, the concept of an international style — and the advent of air conditioning — turned architecture away from the environment and climate in the 20th century,’ says perrin.

the geometric shells are installed within the garfield park conservatory’s palm house

‘suspended in the canopy, the air houses demonstrate a lighter, more flexible approach to building structures that not only provide shelter but also interact with climate conditions– accepting, rejecting, or repurposing sun, wind, and rain to optimize comfort and make the most of natural resources,’ continues the architect. ‘they also provide a framework for plants to grow and become part of the architecture, reactivating the symbiosis between nature and structure.’

the lightweight, fabric structures reference vernacular traditions
image © designboom

other projects presented as part of the 2017 chicago architecture biennial include an exhibition that spotlights the work of global firm SOM, and an experimental performance that features air-filtering outfits designed by new york-based studio SO-IL. see designboom’s ongoing coverage of the event here.

the project seeks to empower a type of architecture that works with nature, rather than against it
image © designboom

the design responds to the building and its specific microclimate
image © designboom

according to its designer, the project reactivates ‘the symbiosis between nature and structure’
image © designboom

the air houses demonstrate a lighter, more flexible approach to building structures

the installation seeks to make the most of natural resources

the ‘air houses’ during their assembly

the second edition of the chicago architecture biennial (CAB) is the largest architecture and design exhibition in north america, showcasing the transformative global impact of creativity and innovation in these fields. this year’s biennial features over 141 practitioners from more than 20 countries addressing the 2017 theme ‘make new history.’ artistic directors sharon johnston and mark lee have selected architects and artists whose eye-opening creations will invite the public to explore how the latest architecture can and will make new history in places around the world.

CAB is hosted by the chicago department of cultural affairs and special events at the historic chicago cultural center. the ‘make new history’ exhibition extends to off-site locations and is amplified through six community anchor exhibitions in the neighborhoods and two special project sites — plus installations, performances, talks, films, and more hosted by over 100 local and global cultural partners.

the main exhibition is free and open to the public from september 16, 2017 through january 7, 2018.

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