colorful dome-like pavilion by hou de sousa in arkansas resembles a quilt buoyed into the air

Hou de Sousa installs patchwork-inspired pavilion in arkansas

New York-based studio Hou de Sousa unveils Bubble, a public pavilion situated within Bentonville, Arkansas’ evolving Quilt of Parks—a network connecting the Crystal Bridges Museum, 21c Museum Hotel, and Bentonville City Square. The project draws inspiration from the cultural and architectural patchwork of the region, weaving together local stories into a multifunctional structure. From a distance, Bubble resembles a quilt buoyed into the air like a hot air balloon. 

The polygonal framework of the pavilion references Ozark rock masonry and echoes the geometry of the surrounding park landscape. The construction employs 54 unique bolted modules, forming a dome-like canopy reminiscent of the American architect Buckminster Fuller’s Fly’s Eye Dome while nodding to the iconic skylights of the Crystal Bridges Museum by the architect Moshe Safdie.

images courtesy of Hou De Sousa

bubble resembles a quilt buoyed into the air like a hot air balloon

Set in Bentonville’s Lawrence Plaza, a popular public space featuring a play fountain, Bubble by the multi-disciplinary studio Hou de Sousa offers shade, seating, and a colorful retreat for visitors. Over 800 steel fins radially arranged create a visually transparent shell that casts dappled light and shadows. Its portals frame views of the surrounding urban context, including the Crystal Bridges Museum and the 21c Museum Hotel, inviting passersby to step inside and experience its interplay of light and color. As part of the broader Quilt of Parks initiative, the pavilion adds to the cultural landscape of Bentonville while creating a cheerful meeting spot for the community.

Hou de Sousa unveils Bubble

a public pavilion situated within Bentonville, Arkansas’ evolving Quilt of Parks

the project draws inspiration from the cultural and architectural patchwork of the region

from a distance, Bubble resembles a quilt buoyed into the air like a hot air balloon

weaving together local stories into a multifunctional structure

the polygonal framework of the pavilion references Ozark rock masonry

echoing the geometry of the surrounding park landscape

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over 800 steel fins radially arranged create a visually transparent shell

as part of the broader Quilt of Parks initiative, the pavilion adds to the cultural landscape of Bentonville

plan drawing illustrating the modular composition of the pavilion as well as its rounded triangular footprint

elevation and section drawings highlighting the radial alignment of fins as well as a tapered wall thickness

project info:

name: Bubble
designer: Hou de Sousa | @hou_de_sousa

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: thomai tsimpou | designboom