
Recently completed as part of a digital fabrication course at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, the Visual Permeability Pavilion was designed and built as part of their end of the year show and graduation ceremonies. The purpose of the pavilion is to provide multiple spaces for relaxation, contemplation, and social interaction. The group members included Luis Alarcon, Aaron Berman, Michael Georgopoulos, Eun Ki Kang, Dayeon Kim, Nicole Kotsis, Jeeun Grace Lee, Aaron Mark, Hylee Oh, and Steven Sanchez. More images and their description after the break.

The two spaces within the project are broken apart, providing one space for two people to relax in a more private setting, and one space for four people to have a conversation or drink. The angling of the wooden slats was designed to maximize this separation for the private zone, and minimize it for the public zone; thus creating a gradient of visual permeability.

The form was derived from one continuous strip that wraps around itself, while touching the ground in minimal locations. The density of the slats is based on three density types: The densest zones are designated for walking and sitting, the medium zones are designated as backrest locations, and the lightest zones are meant for shading. With the project dimensions at approximately 15.5′ long x 7.58′ wide x 6.83′ tall, this pavilion will act as a beacon to entice a passerby to come over, sit, and relax.
- Courtesy of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Team
- Courtesy of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Team
- Courtesy of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Team
- Courtesy of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Team
- Courtesy of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Team
- Courtesy of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Team
- Courtesy of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Team
- plan
- elevations
- construction sequence
- connection diagram
- axon













This project is beautiful amazings.
nice, smart and interesting…
So how many Columbia students does it take to design a 3x5m plywood pavilion…?
The answer is 10, apparently, although it can be done in a couple of days by 1 person. (not including fabrication, obv.)
not impressed.
surprised that your comment was hidden by the system due to negativity… how do you know the details of the project, as to how many people were involved and how long it took?
this contouring and layering technique has been overused in such small scale projects/installations with the availability of CNC. not so impressed in all honesty.
Like the design very much.
I like it. Like a sculpture. It would be nice to have this kind of design, but transformable…
For more information on Visual Permeability Pavilion, contact:
Aaron: Aaron.M.Berman@Gmail.com
Steve: stsanchez@gmail.com