megumi matsubara & hiroi ariyama celebrate YCAM with korogaru pavilion

megumi matsubara & hiroi ariyama celebrate YCAM with korogaru pavilion
image © YCAM
all images courtesy of yamaguchi center for arts and media

in celebration of their ten years anniversary, yamaguchi center for arts and media (YCAM), commissioned megumi matsubara and hiroi ariyama of japanese architecture firm assistant to design a temporary summer structure. the team also  collaborated with the organization’s educational program. the resulting korogaru pavilion sits on the lawn of the cultural center known for introducing and exposing cutting edge technology-based art and media to japan and the world. the design consists of two circular enclosures intended specifically for the exploration of children. one of the volumes is open to the sky and has a translucent skin that plays with one’s perception of the world beyond its boundary. the other has an opaque fabric roof and is mostly enclosed by the material at the perimeter. each has a central structure that becomes a playground for the young visitors. the way in which they are finished creates different environments. for example the more solid part is not completely finished, allowing light and air stream into the space in a different way from its counterpart. these variations provide experiences of that differ greatly from the indoor atmosphere of the main technology, art and performance building. 

the korogaru pavilion is composed of two playground areas enclosed by circular facades
image © YCAM

each part of the pavilion is distinctly finished, giving the children a variety of ways to experience nature
image © YCAM

the enclosed pavilion has large openings at the facade for light and air to enter
image © YCAM

the design encourages personal exploration
image © YCAM

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project info:

project name　korogaru pavilion
address　7-7 nakazonocho yamaguchi-shi yamaguchi japan
architects　megumi matsubara & hiroi ariyama / assistant
playground equipment designers　daiya aida, kiyoshi suganuma (YCAM)
client　yamaguchi center for arts and media (YCAM)
built area　407.27m2
maximum building height　4.01m
structure　wood 1-story building
structural engineer　tokyo university of the arts, kanada structural design lab / mitsuhiro kanada & miki ozeki
purpose　summer indoor play park equipped with media art (temporary building)
construction period　15 may – 25 july, 2013
exhibition period　26 july – 1 dec, 2013
photo credit　courtesy of yamaguchi center for arts and media [© YCAM]