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Introduction:
Echo de Rut
Plaça de la Virreina:
-Plaça de la Virreina exists in a delicate tension between past and present, a space where history is not a relic but a rhythm. At its core stand two silent yet commanding sentinels: the Church of Saint Joan and the Font de Rut. These are not mere landmarks—they are the pulse of the plaça, setting the stage for rituals both sacred and profane. In designing a pavilion for this site, we sought not to impose but to extend this rhythm, to allow the architecture to move in step with the site’s own choreography. Our pavilion is not still. It revolves, it folds, it dances. Our approach embraces fragmentation as a tool for continuity: a structure composed of smaller, reusable components, sourced from materials left in the wake of the Festa Major itself.
Site Analysis:
Plaça de la Virreina and Sant Joan de Gràcia Church
Plaça de la Virreina is a historic and culturally significant square located in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, known for its serene atmosphere and vibrant community life. The square is distinguished by the Sant Joan Baptista de Gràcia Church, a neo-Gothic landmark that adds historical depth to the area. Surrounded by local cafés, shaded seating areas, and residential buildings, it serves as a central gathering point for both residents and visitors. The square is particularly lively during the Festa Major de Gràcia, an annual festival celebrated in August, during which the neighborhood is transformed with colorful decorations, live performances, and community-led activities. Throughout the year, Plaça de la Virreina also hosts cultural events, small markets, and artistic performances, reinforcing its role as an essential public space within Barcelona’s urban fabric.
Font de Rut
Font de Rut, in Parc de la Ciutadella, stands as a quiet tribute to fidelity and devotion, captured in the graceful draping of Ruth’s garments. The fluidity of the statue’s form inspired our pavilion, designed to envelop and interact with it rather than stand apart. We wanted the structure to celebrate the statue—its presence, its symbolism—by echoing the delicate folds of fabric in architectural form, creating a space that feels both protective and connected.
Reference Project:
Rotated Arc Shell Pavillion
Taking inspiration from the Rotated Arc Shell Pavilion by Jung Hyolee, which explores a system of intersecting and rotated arcs, we decided to investigate how such a structural and formal strategy could be applied to our project. The pavilion’s dynamic arrangement of curved elements creates a lightweight yet rigid shell, demonstrating an efficient balance between form and function.
Further, the pavilion’s modular and fabrication-friendly approach aligns with our interest in digitally fabricated structures. By studying its assembly logic, material optimization, and visual aesthetics, we aim to incorporate similar principles in our design process to enhance spatial performance and construction feasibility.
Form Finding:
Iterations & Explorations:
Pseudo Code:
Fabrication and Assembly:
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The pavilion has a flexible assembly design. Any material can be laser cut into the small fragmented pieces with circles for zip-tie connections. This poses an opportunity for reuse of reclaimed or recycled materials, possibly from the Fiesta Major, which happens annually, and a lot of material is used for decorations. A labellinglabeling system should be used to attach correctthe correct dimensions of pieces together.
Assembly:
