image courtesy of Arch Daily
image courtesy of Gothamist
image courtesy of Storefront for Art & Architecture
Spacebuster is a mobile inflatable structure...that is designed to transform public spaces of all kinds in to points for community gathering
The pavilion is made of a translucent plastic which allows the activities inside to be discerned by passers-by. This material also allows for those participants inside to maintain a connection to their context.
The dome itself is inflated by a generator which is contained within the back of the van, allowing it to be "installed" anywhere one can find the space for a van and the pavilion - parks, fields, city streets, etc. As an inflatable structure there is slightly more flexibility with site constraints as the foot print is moldable. I'm envisioning an alley which by definition is often very narrow in width. The footprint may as an area be the same size, as would the volume, but the form which the structure takes would be affected by the existing walls of the building which form the alley. As a design exploration it could be very interesting.
I can see the value in the project - small community gatherings, temporary self-initiated exhibits - yet as society has become more focused on sustainability, I must wonder, is the generator solar powered? Is the cradle-to-cradle footprint less than using an existing building? Would not a well designed "tent" which does not require energy to stay erect be a more honorable solution to an architectural "problem" which may not really be a problem? I will admit that I do wish I could have been there to photograph it myself - some of these images are very enticing!
I'd love to hear you thoughts.
- Caroline N. O'Leary
Information provided by: Storefront for Art & Architecture,
The Architect's Newspaper, Gothamist, and my favorite site with the most enticing photographs Arch Daily
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