UNStudio + MDT-tex Erect Biomimetic Pavilion at the Amsterdam Light Festival

Written by Patrick Lynch
Published on December 14, 2016

UNStudio and textile manufacturer MDT-tex have completed the Eye_Beacon Pavilion for the Amsterdam Light Festival. Serving as a ticketing and information booth for event goers, the pavilion’s design draws inspiration from the festival’s 2017 theme of biomimicry, specifically the bioluminescent organisms of the deep sea world.

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“Similar to deep sea creatures that use bioluminescence to signal, attract and inform, the Eye_Beacon uses choreographed light sequences to alert visitors to its dual function as both a sculpture and an information point for the festival,” said UNStudio’s Ben van Berkel.

“Along with the effect of the pavilion partially overhanging the Amstel River, the twist that connects the two halves of the structure emphasizes the crossing point between the land and water routes of the festival.”

Located along the western bank of the Amstel River by the ‘Blauwbrug’ bridge, the structure acts as the connecting point between the festival’s ‘Watercolour’ canal route and ‘Illuminade’ land installations.

The pavilion design consists of two cube forms connected by twisting surfaces, parametrically modeled to optimize the efficiency of fabrication and installation. The result is a system of 250 panels of unique dimensions constructed from tensile textile modules developed in partnership with MDT-tex.

The panels are overlapped to reveal glimpses of the interior and to display focused LED projections, giving the pavilion a constantly changing composition of light and color.

“The collaboration between UNStudio and MDT-tex, combined with the expertise that MDT-tex has built-up over the years, led to the development of new forms that required innovative and advanced textile engineering. The evolution of the form-finding and technical translation to contemporary future orientated sustainable materials marks the ‘twist’ within this outstanding partnership,” said Markus Müller-Feist, Managing Director / Owner MDT-tex.

Inspired by Ben van Berkel’s dual function concept, the MDT-tex system has also been designed for use in future projects, including functions as lighting and water harvesting systems.

You can see more installations from the Amsterdam Light Festival, here.