Oxford Brookes Rain Pavilion (2014)

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Client: Oxford Brookes University
architect: Oxford Brookes University
Location: Oxford

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Date: 2014-03-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC
Tags: Oxford, installation, self organisation, folded, plate, self, organisation, voids

Oxford Brookes Rain Pavilion

A Ramboll project

The Rain Pavilion was designed by the staff and students of Oxford Brookes University as an urban retreat and a place to positively embrace the effects of rain and wind. It is composed of 16 stainless steel tree structures ranging in height from 4.5 to 6.5m which are clustered around a sculptured timber landscape holding captured pools of water.

The towering but delicate appearance of the installation was achieved by the use of very narrow 88mm diameter stems and 5mm folded steel plate canopies punctured with holes automatically distributed in accordance with the levels of stress in the structure. This gives a natural feel to the piece and enables light to filter through the structure bathing the seating areas with a natural feeling contrast of light and shade.

The complex form required extensive wind modelling and an equally comprehensive structural analysis within a generative 3d model. This was allied with our in-house code for the self organisation of voids and their subsequent redistribution in relation to scalar fields.