PROJECT
Installation, Art
CLIENT
Zurich Design Biennale
LOCATION
Zurich City, Botanical Garden
Collab.
Stella Speziali
Unpredictable Architecture, Impalpable Design
The MIST Pavilion is a water mist cloud installation that has taken the Zurich Design Biennale by storm. Awarded to be realised, this ephemeral structure is the centrepiece of the old botanical garden in the heart of Zurich. What makes it truly unique is its ever-changing form, solely dependent on the capricious Zurich weather.
Materials from Nature
Designed using thin aluminum bars and water, the MIST Pavilion breathes and adapts like no other architectural creation. As the atmosphere shifts, so does its shape, giving visitors an ethereal experience unlike any other. Motion-responsive projections add an extra layer of depth to the misty architecture, challenging our perceptions of space and boundaries.
Visitors can approach the MIST Pavilion from the outside, but the real magic happens when you step into its misty core. Without walls, a clear start, or an end, this installation redefines spatial limits, playing with your senses. It invites a unique dialogue between the body and the world it perceives, an experiential masterpiece which Merleau-Ponty’s pception phenomenology theorised in “l’œil et l’esprit.”
This evolving architectural creation dares to question the very notion of boundaries and solidity. It’s not just an immersive experience for the eyes and body; it’s a dialogue of the senses, a challenge to traditional architectural theory. As the sun sets, motion-adaptive projections infuse the misty structure with new depths, creating a captivating interplay of light and shadow.
The MIST Pavilion is an architectural marvel of the future that’s as sustainable as it is imaginative. Its intangible material, mist, flows elegantly over lush vegetation, expanding boundaries and inspiring imagination. This installation appeals to visitors of all ages, offering a playful experience that delights both children and grandparents.
Built with three interconnected circles mirroring the small round pond it overlooks, the MIST Pavilion is as unpredictable as it is breathtaking. Its limits are boundless, its form a plurality shaped by weather conditions. During the day, it dances in misty elegance; after dark, it transforms into a digital phenomenon. The pavilion challenges the boundary between the tangible and the untouchable, offering a truly unique augmented-reality experience.
HOXAR STUDIO’s MIST Pavilion challenges conventional architectural norms. It reminds us of the uncontrollable nature of our climate and the ever-changing boundaries we face. The misty installation not only shapes landscapes but also our perceptions of what architecture can be. This boundary-defying masterpiece is a glimpse into the future of architectural design, where imagination and technology intertwine to create unforgettable experiences.
In a world where architecture and nature dance together, the MIST Pavilion stands as a testament to the infinite possibilities of design. As we look ahead to the architectural landscapes of tomorrow, HOXAR STUDIO’s creation inspires us to think beyond the boundaries of our perception.
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