Temporary Event Structure focus: This week’s blog takes a look at some of our favourite examples of temporary event structures from around the world as we pick our top 10 favourites.
The term Temporary Event Structure can be applied to many different concepts, events and uses from events, festivals and concerts to exhibitions, art & cultural installations and specially commissioned projects. Here, we look at 10 amazing temporary event structures and their uses.
When it comes to construction materials and techniques it doesn’t get much more extreme than this 31-metre-high ice tower which featured at the annual winter festival in Harbin, China. It was created by students from Eindhoven University of Technology, Summa College and the Harbin Institute of Technology using a mixture of water & natural cellulose fibres sprayed in layers over an inflatable structure. Once the layer of ice was complete, the inflatable substructure was removed leaving an ultra strong 25cm thick layer of ice forming this incredible temporary event structure. We love the eco friendly credentials of this project as it only requires water, naturally occurring fibres and sub zero temperatures. The building will melt away when the temperature rises leaving no trace. The team behind the project hope this will lead the way for the construction of cold climate temporary structures around the world and even on mars exploration missions.
Harbin Winter Festival Ice Structure
Harbin Winter Festival Ice Structure
Image Credit: ArchDaily
Pneumatic temporary event structures offer some really unique benefits. As they are inflatable, pneumatic structures are the fastest type of temporary event structure to assemble. They can be used to span very large areas and are also modular and highly flexible. They automatically adjust to wind and pressure and can be both fabricated and assembled using extremely low levels of energy. One such example is Second Dome by Spanish architects DOSIS. Second Dome is a versatile touring event space which brings colour and vibrancy in a fun format to any open space. This is a great example of a temporary event structure system which is suitable for a wide range of different uses.
Second Dome by DOSIS
Second Dome by DOSIS
Via Design Boom Image Credit: © iwan baan
The concept of converting shipping containers isn’t a new one. Temporary event structures such as pop-up shops, festival activations and even shopping malls have been built using this technique. Despite the ubiquitous shipping container format there are still projects pushing the boundaries such as ModPools
ModPools repurpose shipping containers by turning them into swimming pools. This ingenious style of temporary structure is easy to transport and install and can be assembled with a raised deck, at ground level or even partially subterranean, inset into the landscape.
ModPool Converted Shipping Container
Image Credit: ModPools
During the Live Uncertainty exhibition at the Porto-based cultural institution of the Serralves Foundation, 5 architects created temporary pavilions which functioning as gallery spaces which featured the works of a range of artists. Our favourite was from architects at studio depA who created this structure clad in mirrored panels. Temporary event structures can enhance an environment through function or form but what we really loved about this example was how it embraced the environment. Almost camouflaged amongst the foliage, the design reflects its surroundings to fantastic effect.
depA Architects Pavilion
depA Architects Pavilion
Image Credit: depA
The incredible MVRDV giant staircase in Rotterdam leads from Stationsplein to the top of the Groot Handelsgebouw building. The scaffold structure features 180 stairs and ascends 29 meters to a temporary observation deck overlooking the city. Designed by benthem crouwel, MVSA architects and west 8 this audacious project has achieved something of real beauty using scaffolding, a material not traditionally associated with aesthetic appeal. It also provides an impressive infrastructure solution by connecting guests with the viewing platform and a rooftop cinema.
MVRDV Rotterdam
MVRDV Rotterdam
via Design Boom Image Credit: ossip van duivenbode
Architecture studio Fahed + Architects repurposed bedsprings to create this temporary pavilion in the Dubai Design District. The pavilion was created using materials sourced from waste management company Bee’ah. According to the architects “The bedsprings act as a coil mesh, distilling daylight to reveal pattern on the exhibited works and the ground” Inside the pavilion, 47 designs created by designers from 15 countries were displayed. This is a wonderfully creative use of recycled materials to create something of genuine beauty. This fantastic temporary event structure and exhibition space really inspires us to think outside the box with our construction materials.
Architecture studio Fahed + Architects Dubai
The Bubble Building by DUS Architects.Part of the ZigZagCity festival in Rotterdam, this amazing temporary event structure is made-up of 16 hexagonal-shaped ponds full of soapy water which create 35 square meters of footprint. Visitors create their own architecture by entering the ponds and then pulling up steel bars to create a series of iridescent walls around them.
The Bubble Building by DUS Architects
via InHabitat Image Credit via DUS Architects’ Facebook page
The Halo Group specialises in temporary event structures. Our modular steel frame system can be built in any configuration or layout and can even be built over multiple levels. We provide our products and services to a wide portfolio including racecourses, sporting events and many other clients with hospitality requirements. The example below was assembled at the Qatar Goodwood Festival and featured a VIP bar and deck on the ground floor and a media centre and viewing platform across the parade ring lawn on the mezzanine level. Our system can be clad in any material, thus allowing us to tailor our structures from project to project. For this event, we chose a sleek white design which was complemented by a stretch tent roofing system.
Modular Hospitality Structure
Modular Hospitality Structure
The Halo Group’s modular steel system is also ideal for touring temporary event structures as seen in this case study for Martini Williams, which toured multiple international locations during the 2014 Formula 1 race calendar. As it is modular, it can be flat packed down into shipping containers and reassembled at each location. The Halo Group is able to create any temporary structure design using this system. For this project we created a hexagonal layout with upright beams encircling the decking in a flowing motion inspired by the aerodynamics of the Williams F1 car. The interior of the temporary structure featured a VIP bar, hospitality area, experiential zone and the latest Williams car as the central focal point.
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