Project Overview

The Umbrella Pavilion
The Umbrella Pavilion isn't your typical university building. Imagine a vibrant open space buzzing with exhibitions and conversation, where nature seamlessly blends with education. Sustainability is at the core of this project – the pavilion, located south of the Beijing Jiaotong University School of Architecture and Art, carefully integrates all existing trees and pipe wells into its design. Inspired by "triangular modules," the designers created a captivating solution: a hexagonal umbrella structure formed by equilateral triangles supported by vertical columns. This ingenious design respects the existing landscape while creating a visually striking landmark. But the Umbrella Pavilion is more than just aesthetics. It fosters a dynamic learning environment with its open space, perfect for exhibitions and collaboration. This reconnection with nature creates a refreshing and inspiring atmosphere for students, faculty, and residents nearby alike. The project also pushes the boundaries of design with digital fabrication procedures. The Umbrella Pavilion isn't just a space; it's a testament to the power of design to reconnect education and nature.

Project Commissioner

The School of Architecture of Beijing Jiaotong University

Project Creator

Beijing Jiaotong University Benzhi Studio

Team

Zhongzhong Zeng,Bo Zhang,Yongquan Chen,Xinran Zheng,Jiaxing Li

Project Brief

A Cramped Constraint: Cramped classrooms stifled creativity and community at Beijing Jiaotong University's School of Architecture and Art. The university envisioned a space that would spark collaboration, open exchange, and a connection with nature.
Blooming with Design: The answer came in the form of the Umbrella Pavilion, a groundbreaking architectural marvel inspired by triangular modules. This hexagonal structure utilizes a network of equilateral triangles supported by vertical columns. This ingenious design not only creates a visually striking landmark but also respects the existing trees and pipe wells on the site. These elements were carefully incorporated, becoming valuable features that shaped the pavilion's form. Cutting-edge digital fabrication techniques were used, pushing the boundaries of sustainable and innovative design.
A Hub for Interaction: The Umbrella Pavilion serves more than just aesthetics. It provides a dynamic open space for exhibitions and events, fostering communication and collaboration among students and faculty. This innovative space transcends the traditional classroom, fostering a vibrant hub for learning and exchange.
Nature's Embrace: The pavilion masterfully reconnects the learning environment with nature. Dappled sunlight filters through the tree canopy, creating a tranquil and inspiring atmosphere for focused learning and open discussions. This unique ambiance fosters a refreshing learning experience.
A Legacy of Sustainability: The project prioritizes respect for the natural world while fostering a vibrant learning environment. The Umbrella Pavilion stands as a symbol of the university's dedication to fostering a collaborative future. It's a testament to the university's commitment to both its students and its natural surroundings.

Project Innovation/Need

The design and construction process of the "Umbrella Pavilion " showed the following innovations:
(1) Digital Fabrication:
Digital fabrication procedures guided the design of linear architecture, enhancing the design and construction process in terms of depth, accuracy, and efficiency.
(2) Coexisting with nature:
Retaining all 19 trees and 8 sewage wells on the site reflects respect and protection for the natural environment.
(3) Assembly rehearsal:
Using the digital fabrication platform to simulate the construction of the "Umbrella Pavilion " scheme verified the assembly relationship of the components and developed a new type of hexagonal wing hardware connector.
(4) Robotic arm printing technology:
Importing the paperless digital model into the glued laminated timber cutting system improved the processing accuracy and production efficiency by nearly 5 times.

Design Challenge

The "Umbrella Pavilion " faced enormous challenges as a campus architecture practice:
(1) Complex site environment:
Since all 19 trees and 8 sewage wells on the site needed to be preserved, the design team used a grid to divide the site and determined the hexagonal umbrella scheme to avoid them.
(2) Relatively tight construction budget:
With the college's relatively tight construction budget, the design team went through 22 design schemes and finally finalized the 630 USD (2,000 CNY) per square meter glued laminated timber assembly "linear" scheme.
(3) Tight construction schedule:
Due to the simultaneous progress of normal teaching and construction, the design team had to shorten the construction period as much as possible. Relying on robotic arm printing of components and reserving errors, the assembly was completed in one go, and the on-site construction was completed in only 10 days.

Sustainability

The design of the "Umbrella Pavilion " focuses on sustainable principles and takes the following measures:
(1) Protecting biodiversity:
By preserving the existing trees on the site, the habitat of 12 species of birds and 8 species of mammals is ensured.
(2) Noise reduction:
The "Umbrella Pavilion " effectively reduces the noise in the teaching building by 3-5 decibels, providing a quieter teaching environment for teachers and students.
(3) Rainwater management:
Simulating a 1% slope of the L-shaped unit in 6 directions, rainwater flows into the underground foundation through pipes and permeable gratings arranged in the hollow structures of the main columns, becoming a supplement to groundwater.
(4) Resource conservation:
As a recycled laminated timber assembly "linear" scheme, the Umbrella Pavilion has a unit price of only 630 USD (2,000 CNY), which realizes construction resource conservation.
(5) Carbon capturing:
The 18 trees retained on the site absorb about 1054mt of carbon dioxide and release 843mt of oxygen every day.

Environmental Design

This award celebrates innovative and creative design for environmental projects. Consideration given to materials, finishes, sustainablility and environmental impact.
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