AA Summer Pavilion 'Driftwood', London, United Kingdom

Student designed pavilion drifts into London
'Driftwood', the Architectural Association's summer pavilion designed by Unit 2 Students is unveiled today in Bedford Square, London.

Its public opening tomorrow will mark the annual celebration of young architectural talent from the world's most renowned school of architecture. Over 3000 visitors from across the world are expected to arrive tomorrow to view the AA School Summer Pavilion and Projects Review which will display a year's worth of works by the up and coming stars of architecture.

Driftwood was designed by concept designer Danecia Sibingo a 3rd year student, and a team that includes Lyn Hayek, Yoojin Kim, and Taeyoung Lee. The sustainable spruce ‘Kerto’ plywood structure is "neither art nor architecture, science nor ecological adventure, but a sculptural installation and prototype that defies classification. It embraces invention, experimentation, new materials and aesthetic intelligence," according to a spokesperson for the AA.

The pavilion was selected by a panel of seven eminent judges from the worlds of architecture, engineering, design, media and ecology. "It provides a thoughtful, provoking reminder of the UK’s inextricable link to the sea - its undulating form created by the motion of the water, carried by waves and coming to rest in busy central London," added the spokesperson.

Now in its fourth year of building pavilions, Intermediate Unit 2 pavilion projects are led by tutors Charles Walker and Martin Self with technical advice from ARUP, this year led by Ching Luan Lau, Senior Engineer. The unit challenges students to create architectural space through the construction of a sustainable timber pavilion and is also sponsored by HOK architects. Driftwood is on show in Bedford Square until 25 July 2009. Brett Steele, Director, The Architectural Association School says: “The annual summer pavilion competition provides a unique opportunity for students to work together to design, develop and ultimately fabricate a professional standard architectural structure for the public to enjoy. Unparalleled in any other architectural school, it creates a collaborative working environment, nurturing inspiration and encouraging radical and fresh ideas which come to life in the form of these incredible structures."
source: www.worldarchitecturenews.com
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