shigeru ban architects: museum rietberg temporary pavilion

shigeru ban architects museum rietberg temporary pavilion
image © didier boy de la tour
all images courtesy of shigeru ban architects

the japanese architect known for his cardboard structures, shigeru ban architects, has designed the museum rietberg zurich’s temporary summer pavilion of easily constructed, lightweight materials. the addition balances the existing foyer, creating symmetry in the scale and proportion when viewed from the fountain on the front lawn. the simple construction compliments the color palette and open airy nature of the colonnaded wing. the structural columns vary in size and stack inside one another for off-season storage. carbon steel trusses hold up a fabric roof. the entire extension is enclosed by polycarbonate panels. hinged at the top they open as awnings, allowing ample fresh air to circulate while providing additional sun shading. the construction uses no fixed connections in its assembly, so the whole thing can be removed in the winter months, and re-assembled the following spring or summer.

shigeru ban architects museum rietberg temporary pavilion
image © didier boy de la tour

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images © didier boy de la tour

shigeru ban architects museum rietberg temporary pavilion
image © didier boy de la tour

the temporary exhibition space balances the symmetry of the existing museum
image © didier boy de la tour