terrastella (Åbo/Turku 2010-2011)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

A pavillion for Åbo/Turku Cultural Capital Year 2011

The terrastella was designed for the inner yard of Åbo/Turku’s City library – surrounded by the original renaissance-styled building from 1903 and its large, geometrically fashioned extension from 2007, along with an adjacent, smaller house functioning as a café. The contrasting façades, the asymmetrical yard, and the multiple functions of the much-loved library, lead me to the idea of a tent – an independent construction, open in all directions; temporarily raised for people to gather around the fire and share stories, or to just sit and rest in silence.

The floor plan of terrastella is pentagonal, with five doors folding outwards and downwards (also functioning as ramps for wheelchairs and baby strollers). The construction is made from glass fibre molded on welded iron frames. The cupola sports a star stretching downwards from the centre; using rebars inside the lower walls, I added pentagonal patterns corresponding to islamic ornamentation. Visitors frequently made associations to churches as well as mosques and tents; many brought coffee or food from the cafeteria and stayed inside to chat, read or work – despite the winter cold. Large rugs felted from black wool were hanging from the cupola, for visitors to wrap themselves up and stay warm.