The Cloud pavilion by schmidt hammer lassen architects opens at Shanghai West Bund Biennial

The Cloud pavilion is a public art installation by schmidt hammer lassen architects that opened last week at the Shanghai West Bund Biennial for Architecture and Contemporary Art, which features China's most respected architects and international architecture practices.

The hundreds of white hanging ropes of The Cloud emphasize lightness and gravity as they sway subtly when visitors stroll by or a breeze passes through. Additionally, schmidt hammer lassen built support facility pavilions that include a gallery, café, and bookshop.

Check out shl's pavilions right below.

From the shl press release:

"The contribution of schmidt hammer lassen architects consists of an art installation pavilion, The Cloud, and a composition of pavilions containing support facilities including a café, a gallery and a bookshop. The pavilions are placed adjacent to one of two industrial cranes on the Xuhui West Bank Riverside. The tall crane stands as an icon that people all over the world can recognize and relate to and symbolizes balance, performance and gravity. The aim of the art installation pavilion, The Cloud, is to amplify and contrast these qualities."

"'The Cloud pavilion is the quintessence of lightness, immateriality and fuzziness,' explained Kristian Lars Ahlmark, partner at schmidt hammer lassen architects. 'By hanging hundreds of white ropes from the pavilion’s ceiling, an effect is created where The Cloud is always changing. Visitors moving or a light breeze creates a subtle movement of the ropes, underlining the organic nature of the installation and the immateriality of the space. In Chinese culture, a cloud is an important symbol and a sign of good fortune.'

By following the path along the riverside, visitors are led to The Cloud and can walk through it as part of their stroll through the biennial area."

"A clear visual connection to the history and the industrial nature of the site is created by the support facility pavilions. These are clad in Corten steel. Their colour and texture underline the pavilions’ relation to the industrial heritage. The shape and orientation of the pavilions were determined by the views towards the nearby bridge, the crane and the river. While The Cloud is intended for experience, interaction and activity, the support facility pavilions are for contemplation, rest and relaxation."

"'We have collaborated with the client, Xuhui Development Corporation, on a number of projects in and around the West Bank site in Shanghai and these projects are all still in design development. The biennial pavilions, however, were conceived, designed and built in only three months, which is a massive achievement and a sign of good collaboration between the client, Tongji University and schmidt hammer lassen architects,' stated Chris Hardie, associate partner and head of schmidt hammer lassen architects’ Shanghai office.

Project Facts:

Lead design architect: schmidt hammer lassen architects
Local design institute: TJAD, Tongji University
Client: Xuhui Development Corporation
Area: The Cloud pavilion 190 m2
Support facility pavilions 240 m2 "
 

For further reading, click here or here.
To see project diagrams, click the thumbnails below.

All images courtesy of schmidt hammer lassen architects.