daewha kang design creates circe, a floating pavilion made of 278 identical pieces of wood

london-based studio daewha kang design has set a floating pavilion as part of the art exhibition ‘odyssee’ on möhnesee lake, north rhine-westphalia, germany, organized by the kunstverein arnsberg museum. the exhibition featured twenty-four artists who were asked to make pieces on the lake, under the water, or at the lakeside. named ‘circe’ after the seductive witch from greek mythology, the pavilion provides a resting place for visitors as they swim from artwork to artwork.

creature

the theme of transformation takes shape through the movement of 278 identical pieces of spruce that turn and shift to create forms that are alternately organic and platonic. the reflection in the water completes the shapes, creating a diamond from one elevation, a circle from the other, and something creature-like in between.

sun

daewha kang’s simple construction method of shifting, rotating, and fixing 8-foot standard spruce 2×4’s meant that the structure could be built by local workers. the alternating rhythm creates a surprising range of qualities — from the appearance of a solid disc when seen straight on, to an ethereal and transparent screenwork from the side. the parametric design was central to the conception and realization of circe, but ultimately the aim and the effect was to create a sense of wonder, mystery, and joy.

prism

undulations

ephemeral movement of water, wood, and light

278 identical wood pieces, 40 x 140 x 2400mm

plan

elevations

nodes for construction

project info:

design: daewha kang

exhibition organizer: kunstverein arnsberg

construction: 278 individual pieces of spruce on a floating pontoon 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: maria erman | designboom