Opportunity Space Pavilion, Malmö – Stretch Membrane over a Glulam Timber Structure
General information
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Home page
https://www.architen.com/materials/stretch-fabric/
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Location address
Enskifteshagen Park, Malmö, Sweden
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Location country
Sweden
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Year of construction
2019
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Function of building
Shelters
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Degree of enclosure
Open structure
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Climatic zone
Temperate - cold winters and mild summers
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Number of layers
mono-layer
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Type of application of the membrane
covering
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Primary function of the tensile structure
- Rain protection
- Sun protection
Description
The Opportunity Space flash competition, launched in 2016, challenged designers to create a cost-effective but striking temporary pavilion to house programmes supporting social and economic inclusion, with a particular focus on immigration and the integration of refugees. The inaugural winner was a New York-based team led by Rik Ekström of ARExA, with a timber and steel pavilion clad in tensile fabric. Ekström had previously worked with Architen Landrell on the 2007 rebrand of the O2 in London, and brought the company in to deliver the membrane.
Working with main contractor Skanska, the team rationalised the scheme so that volunteers could build it on site and costs stayed low. The glulam structure was modelled and analysed in Rhino, with as few variations in timber profiles and steel plates as possible to reduce the number of fabrication jigs, and connections were kept simple, using off-the-shelf components, nuts and bolts and bungee cables.
The complex curved form was the main challenge for the membrane. Drawing on an earlier "breathing" membrane installation for UK broadcaster Channel 4, Amy Richardson, then Head of Sales at Architen Landrell, explained that the team needed a highly elastic material that could also cope with outdoor exposure. The answer was a polyurethane-coated nylon, more commonly used for hospital bed covers, which stretches to follow the three-dimensional timber frame. A single stretch membrane could be tensioned evenly without specialist staff or equipment.
There was no time for a survey or test build, so the membrane was patterned directly from the Rhino model. It was shipped to Malmö and installed under the supervision of Architen Landrell's project managers.
Architect: ARExA (Rik Ekström). Engineer: Walter P Moore. Main contractor: Skanska. Membrane: Dartex Coatings. Membrane design, fabrication and installation supervision: Architen Landrell.
Description of the environmental conditions
Outdoor park setting in Malmö, southern Sweden, with a cool temperate maritime climate. The polyurethane-coated nylon stretch membrane provides rain and sun protection for a temporary community pavilion.
Material of the cover
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Cable-net/Fabric/Hybrid/Foil
Fabric
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Type (code)
P098S
Main dimensions and form
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Covered surface (m2)
230
Duration of use
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Temporary or permanent structure
Temporary
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Convertible or mobile
Convertible and mobile
Involved companies
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Architects
ARExA
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Engineers
Walter P Moore
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Contractors
ARCHITEN LANDRELL
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Suppliers
Dartex Coatings Ltd
Editor
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Editor
Evi Corne
