VENICE BIENNALE - SCOTTISH PAVILION

A competition entry for a temporary building to act as the Scottish gathering space for the Venice Biennale. 

The structure of the proposed gathering space is modeled on ancient wicker framed boats but uses sustainable modern technology to allow the structural form to be expanded to accommodate 200 people.

Timber arches spring out of a stone base encircled by a pair of interlocking steel rings. The hollow arches are constructed from curved laser cut ‘Kerto’ (cross laminated engineered timber) - a structure that is light, strong and easily manhandled. The inner face of the arch and the visible portion of the ‘Kerto’ is unfinished to emphasize the natural material and externally the arches are stained with colours chosen to reflect those of the Scottish landscape; golden barley, grey stone and purple heather.

The base of each ‘quadripod’ is secured to the base on the inner face of the steel outer rings. The steel outer rings enclose the stone base that secures the structure to the ground through dead weight alone. The base mimics whatever paving surface the ‘Coracle’ rests on, for example stone cobbles might be used or densely packed gravel. These are packed into the tray formed by the steel rings, base grid and re-cycled plywood base to form a gravity foundation.

The whole structure rests on protective matting/sand to ensure the existing surface is not damaged.

The design was selected for exhibition at the Scottish Royal Academy.