Raumlabor’s SpaceBuster touring around New York

Apr 2009

By David Basulto — Filed under: Structures , New York, Raumlabor, Storefront Gallery

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Berlin based architects Raumlabor have been doing an interesting architectural work by temporarily transforming locations: a gallery into a laboratory, a public square into a location for scientific discourse or a cold corridor into a place with new social qualities.

When spaces are meant not only to be neutral shells for content but also to convey particular functions and serve as catalysts, the way of dealing with these spaces, their design and programming have to be integral components of the overall conception.

As we told you on a previous post, thanks to the StoreFront Gallery their latest project Spacebuster is moving around New York, hosting 10 consecutive community events (check schedule here).

The pavilion is comprised of an inflatable bubble-like dome that emerges from its self-contained compressor housing. The dome expands and organically adjusts to its surroundings, be it in a field, a wooded park, or below a highway overpass. The material is a sturdy, specially-designed translucent plastic, allowing the varying events taking place inside of the shelter – dance parties, lecture series, or dinner buffets – to be entirely visible from the outside and likewise the exterior environments become the events’ backdrops.

The end result is amazing, as you can see on these photos taken by Alan Tansey. The interior looks fantastic: how the light passes through, the projections on the inside… see more photos after the break.

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

: © Alan Tansey

About David Basulto: Graduate Architect. Co Founder and Executive Editor of ArchDaily.com. Architecture geek.

Cite:
Basulto , David . "Raumlabor’s SpaceBuster touring around New York" 23 Apr 2009. ArchDaily. Accessed 04 Feb 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/20435>

Comments (10)
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JJ says:

Spatially interesting, though I wonder if the air iniside is thick with 50 people packed into a plastic bubble. Is there a ventilation system or is this the scaled-up equivalent of putting a plastic bag over your head?

# April 23, 2009 at 08:25

ba says:

the air is refreshed with a large fan which pumps air into the giant constantly. the pressure is balanced depending on wind conditions by opening the truck door more or less…

# August 11, 2009 at 02:47

RipBang says:

The inflatable city! I’m sure there’s an ample air circulation system. Afterall, they have to keep the bubble inflated.
Can they do this in Canvas?
Pure and Brilliant. Looks like a great mediator, no need to sweep up the street before you blow up…prefect when adjacent to the ‘questionable’ surfaces typically found under freeway overpasses…

# April 23, 2009 at 10:36

Sandor says:

interesting what you could use it for. reminds me of an older project where the same thing was used in to draw attention to certain urban spaces.

http://www.citymined.org/projects/bubble.php

# April 23, 2009 at 15:23

Andrew says:

Very interesting and great idea….

Have you ever heard the saying “fart in a space suit.” Same thing applies here.

# April 23, 2009 at 18:23

Jimmern says:

Snøhetta made an inflatable bubble for the Think! electric car at the 2008 Geneve Motorshow – http://www.snohetta.com/#/news/false/89/image/359/ They even drove the car around in there like a giant hamster ball! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5KvTBNhzNo

# April 24, 2009 at 03:55

arch critic says: