London Iconic Pavilion
In collaboration with the structural engineer company BuroHappold Engineering, LC-A designed a 700sqm innovative high-end portable pavilion, which hosted the mobile exhibition of Intralot, an international and leading gaming solutions supplier and operator. The “London Iconic Pavilion”, was recently presented as part of the world’s greatest gaming show, ICE Totally Gaming exhibition 2016, which took place in ExCel London last February. The pavilion consists of 8 petals hovering above its corresponding exhibition area in plan. Each petal consists of sectional aluminum ring beams and tailor-made stretched fabric, creating a unique choreography of 8 dancing canopies. The petals cantilever 10m above the pavilion terrain, creating sensational spaces, pushing the envelope of architecture, engineering, and innovation. They are built to attract people, to transmit a message according to what they showcase, and to be memorable when the exhibition finishes and the pavilion travels to other destinations. According to LC-A, the design of the pavilion had many challenges, first of all, the Pavilion is a portable pavilion, which can travel around the world in various sites and conditions, while it should stand in the same location for only a few days, so the design should be eye-catching and transfer the message of what it presents onto the design. It should be easily accessible so people can through it and give an intense and unique atmosphere and experience. Simultaneously, the structure has to be self-supporting and to be assembled on-site and in a very short period of time. Thus the design embeds a simple assembly concept, the petals consist of smaller aluminum components, which are tagged and connected on-site, forming the perimeter ring beam. Then, a tailor-made white tensile fabric is stretched around it like a giant sock, giving the final appearance of the petals. The firm, which was founded in 2015 and is based in London, focuses on a variety of work, from towers and master plans to small-scale products and interiors. Their paths have closely paralleled one another, with both architects graduating from the AA in 2011, receiving their Masters in Architecture and Urbanism from Design Research Laboratory (DRL) with distinction.
