vietnamese studio vo trong nghia architects will design the latest iteration of the sherman contemporary art foundation’s (SCAF) ‘fugitive structures’, bringing their work to australia for the first time. the proposed scheme comprises a smoked bamboo building topped with a transparent ceiling that floats above the structure. the pavilion will be installed in two locations – brisbane and sydney – in 2016.

vo trong nghia bamboo wall fugitive structures the sherman contemporary art foundation designboom
the proposed scheme comprises smoked bamboo topped with a transparent ceiling
all images courtesy of vo trong nghia architects

 

 

a gridded bamboo construction incorporates a dense forest of natural materials. a clear ceiling floats above, creating a shelter from the elements that allows visitors to view the sky. the structure is highly porous, with entry points for adults and children to walk or even crawl through.

vo trong nghia bamboo wall fugitive structures the sherman contemporary art foundation designboom
a gridded bamboo construction incorporates a dense forest of natural materials

 

 

 

‘I want to bring nature back to the city,’ states vo trong nghia. ‘in ho chi minh city, the population has reached nearly 10 million with only 5.35km2 of green space – only 0.25% of the entire city. vietnam’s unrestricted economic development has devastated the natural environment across the country. this is the problem architects need to solve.’

vo trong nghia bamboo wall fugitive structures the sherman contemporary art foundation designboom
the structure is highly porous, with numerous entry points

 

 

 

dr gene sherman, executive director of SCAF added, ‘the design of the SCAF pavilion centers around two central pillars of vo trong nghia’s approach to architecture: the innovative use of bamboo, and his passion – and self imposed duty – to green the world’s urban landscapes with plants and vegetation.’

vo trong nghia bamboo wall fugitive structures the sherman contemporary art foundation designboom
the pavilion will be installed in two locations – brisbane and sydney – in 2016

 

 

 

the pavilion will first be installed on the grassy platform outside state library of queensland in brisbane in march 2016, before being relocated to SCAF’s courtyard in paddington, sydney in june 2016. the ‘fugitive structures’ series explores the potential of temporary pavilions as tools for experimentation and encourages new concepts and construction techniques. see designboom’s coverage of last year’s ‘sway’ pavilion here.

vo trong nghia bamboo wall fugitive structures the sherman contemporary art foundation designboom
project model highlighting the proposed construction method

vo trong nghia bamboo wall fugitive structures the sherman contemporary art foundation designboom
the series explores the potential of temporary pavilions as tools for experimentation