HIDAKA OHMU — SEAWEED PAVILION | 2020
Created for the “Partnering with Nature” exhibition in the World Economic Forum 2020, the seaweed pavilion visualizes the potential seaweed has as a sustainable building material. Observers experience the distinct scent of the sea as they draw closer to the structure, a reminder of our responsibility to our oceans and environment.
CLIENT
Julia Lohmann (The Department of Seaweed, Aalto University)
SCOPE
Product design, fabrication
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The seaweed pavilion was prepared as a central piece in Julia Lohmann’s exhibition in the World Economic Forum in Davos 2020.
Julia Lohmann had created a design inspired by “Ohmu” arthropods from Studio Ghibli’s Nausicaä. Sketches, as well as a rough model had been created based on this concept.
My role included 3D modelling the structure, preparing the parts for CNCing and assembling the pavilion. I was also responsible for the detail design of the structure, including joints, dimensions and forms of the beams. The structure also had to be broken down into modules for easier reassembly and transportation. Additionally, I partly designed a series of custom shipping containers to transport and store the modules.
CONSTRUCTION
The structure consists of over 200 unique beams resulting in 21 detachable modules. CNCed plywood and rattan sticks form the base structure, which is finished off with Japanese seaweed.
CNC BEDS
STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY
As the CNCed parts were assembled, rattan pipes were strewn through each module, adding structural integrity and serving as a base for the seaweed. Specially treated seaweed strips were then glued onto the structure, further strengthening the modules as they dried. The ready structure could then be disassembled module by module and packed in custom shipping containers.
