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Exploring Light and Shadow Through Whitewashed Modules in a Community Pavilion

Author:
Gyo Sun Hwang
Exploring Light and Shadow Through Whitewashed Modules in a Community Pavilion
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Whitewashed modules shift in appearance with changing light, creating a dynamic interaction that encourages reflection and community engagement at the Berlin Wall Memorial.
5 key facts about this project
01
Whitewashed modules create a shifting façade that changes with viewer perspective.
02
The Pavilion utilizes aluminum forms to reflect and distort images within the space.
03
Light plays a crucial role, enhancing the Pavilion's visual experience throughout the day.
04
Located at the Berlin Wall Memorial, the Pavilion emphasizes community and reflection.
05
Design elements promote active engagement, inviting visitors to explore different viewpoints.

The Pavilion of Perspectives is located at the Berlin Wall Memorial in Berlin, Germany. It serves as a space that encourages reflection and interaction around themes of curiosity and community. The design focuses on how shared experiences shape our understanding of history and one another. By inviting visitors to engage directly with the structure, the Pavilion fosters a dialogue about our collective past and future.

Design Concept

The architecture promotes active participation through dynamic forms. Building modules are arranged in a way that changes their appearance based on where a viewer stands. Initially, the Pavilion looks like a simple stack of bricks from a frontal view. As individuals move around it, the structure reveals intricate patterns and configurations. This design highlights the role of perspective in shaping our understanding of both the Pavilion and its historical context.

Play of Light and Shadow

Light and shadow play important roles in the Pavilion’s design. The whitewashed modules interact with natural light throughout the day, creating a shifting visual experience. The ends of these rectangular forms shift from white to black, becoming more apparent from specific angles, such as from the road. This variability adds depth to the Pavilion's presence and invites visitors to contemplate how light affects their perception of the space.

Interior Experience

Inside the Pavilion, aluminum forms define various program areas, featuring sloped and curved surfaces. These elements provide necessary support while also reflecting and distorting images of those who enter. This interaction with the environment reinforces the Pavilion's focus on perspective. Visitors experience an atmosphere that dynamically changes with the light, deepening their engagement with the space.

The Pavilion of Perspectives engages with history, memory, and community. Its modular design, combined with careful attention to light, creates an inviting space that resonates with the site's significance. Visitors are encouraged to explore the different viewpoints and experiences, allowing the Pavilion to serve as a reflective mirror of their personal journeys.

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

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