Meiyuan Pavilion Gemeenschapscontrolepunt Paviljoen by Thad

Meiyuan Pavilion Gemeenschapscontrolepunt Paviljoen by Thad is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award in IJzer in Architectuur, Gebouwen en Constructieontwerp Competition Category.

IJzerArchitectuur· 2021

Meiyuan Pavilion Gemeenschapscontrolepunt Paviljoen

by Thad

Client: Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tsinghua University CO., LTD.

A' Design Award in IJzer Winner in Architectuur Category

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The Design

About Meiyuan Pavilion Gemeenschapscontrolepunt Paviljoen

Het Meiyuan Paviljoen is een controlepuntstructuur gebouwd bij de ingang van een oude woonwijk in Peking. Het paviljoen biedt beschutting, een temperatuurcontrolepunt, pakketopslag en een rustplek. Drie afzonderlijke looproutes scheiden binnenkomende voetgangers van bewoners die pakketten ophalen, wat congestie vermindert. Elke module is opgebouwd uit kolommen en balken van kartonnen buizen, verbonden door pen-en-gatverbindingen van multiplex en stalen voetplaten. Dankzij digitale fabricage kon de montage binnen 24 uur worden voltooid, waarbij de bestaande bestrating intact bleef.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in IJzer

Meiyuan Pavilion Gemeenschapscontrolepunt Paviljoen is winnaar van de A' Design Award in IJzer, een prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan goede ontwerpen die voldoen aan de professionele en industriële eisen die worden verwacht van goed ontworpen creaties. Winnaars in IJzer tonen grote vaardigheid, hoge specialisatie, deskundig inzicht en het creatieve vermogen van hun makers. Meiyuan Pavilion Gemeenschapscontrolepunt Paviljoen wordt verwacht een hooggewaardeerde, bewonderde en gekoesterde creatie te zijn die praktisch en innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in IJzer heeft gewonnen, integreert de beste praktijken uit de sector en heeft bekwame technische kenmerken die verbonden zijn met knowhow en talent. Meiyuan Pavilion Gemeenschapscontrolepunt Paviljoen wordt gerespecteerd om zijn grondigheid en is ontworpen om verbeteringen van de levenskwaliteit te bieden die helpen de wereld een betere plek te maken.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Meiyuan pavilion is located in an old community – Meiyuan Community in Beijing, and is expeditiously assembled together for checkpoint during the coronavirus pandemic. It provides multiple imperative functions for the community residents, such as a substantial shelter, temperature checkpoint, package storage, and resting place. The pavilion is inspired by traditional Chinese tectonic language and reinterpret it into a simple and clean modern image for the community.
Dimensions & Packaging: The dimension of pavilion is 9880mm x 6860mm; height is 3920mm; gross building area is 55.8sqm; in which 43sqm is passageway, and 12.8sqm is package storage space.
Tags: Beijing, China, Covid-19, Checkpoint, Paper-tube, Plywood, Pavilion, Digital Fabrication
Production Technology: It is designed as a modular system that can be mass-produced and easy-assembled. Each module includes two paper-tube columns and two paper-tube beams as the main structure, connected by three plywood tenon joints and two steel bases. Lastly, the two steel bases are buried in two wooden beer boxes filled with rocks. These foundations effectively prevent pavement from damage. Construction technology includes waterproof and fireproof experiment, structural innovation lab testing and CNC digital fabrication. Especially with CNC technology，designers could ensure precise cutting, pre-punching, pre-grooving within 0.3mm error. Joint pieces can be engraved with ID number, and pre-punched with holes. Those steps are helpful for construction workers to assemble joints and screw holes. Hence, the designers could ensure the construction quality and shorten the construction time to 24 hours. In terms of electrical equipment integration, the designers take the advantage of paper-tube being hollow, in which they place electric and internet wires. Keeping electric wires invisible enhances overall spatial quality as well as architectural integrity.
Design Challenge: The gateway of old communities faces four major challenges. Firstly, limited open space and high pedestrian flow are the primary obstacles. Secondly, in order not to burden the community, eco-friendly and degradable construction materials are preferable. Thirdly, the checkpoint needs to perform its duty during the pandemic as quickly as possible, so construction should be done in 24 hours. Lastly, pavement shall be kept intact because the pavilion is only a temporary structure. In addition, the free-standing foundation should be able to meet the wind load test of extreme climate.
Research: This experiment attempts to apply new materials and digital fabrication to improve the spatial quality, and provide a social interaction space for residents of old communities. From the post-occupancy evaluation of this project, we find out that under the pavilion elders enjoy chatting with friends, kids like to play with toys, young men and ladies like to stay while waiting for taxi. During the Chinese New Year, the residents even decorate it with red lanterns and Chinese knots. It is good to see how architecture stimulates social interaction and neighborhood vitality.
Inspiration: With the outbreak of the Covid-19 in 2020, Chinese government conducts strict entry and exit regulations. Residential communities set up checkpoints to guard outsiders who might carry the virus. Checking process slows down the circulation flow at the checkpoint, and it becomes congested. Therefore, designers create a modular system that is fast and easy to assemble. They also create a package storage space to divert the circulation. Thus, it becomes clear and unimpeded.
Project Duration: The project is located in Beijing. The project started in June 2020, and completed in November 2020.
Operation Flow: The designers carefully create three independent circulations within the pavilion based on functions. For instance, entering pedestrian circulation is separated from package-picking pedestrian circulation. Hence, the diversion not only decrease the risk of exposure to virus, but also increases traffic efficiency significantly.
Team Members: Wei Zhang, Sisi Liang, Guande Wu, Xiaoqian Zhang, Zhonglin Gong
Image Credits: Tri-images, Xiaobin Lv