City Form Lab Unveils Curved, Recyclable Library Pavilion for Singapore Students

The Singapore University of Technology and Design’s (SUTD) beautiful <a href="http://inhabitat.com/coral-reef-inspired-coloniatecne-pavilion-spies-on-visitors-with-an-led-display/" target="_blank">new Library Pavilion</a> gives students a placid prefab retreat in the midst of a busy campus. Designed by <a href="http://cityform.mit.edu/" target="_blank">City Form Lab</a>, the pavilion transforms the green space behind the library into a flexible <a href="http://inhabitat.com/crete-bioclimatic-school-by-kamvari-architects-connects-east-and-west-like-a-bridge/" target="_blank">outdoor classroom</a> that students can use any time of day. The curving shell is made from lightweight and recyclable timber covered in mathematically arranged scales.

City Form Lab is know for using <a href="http://inhabitat.com/leads-fiery-golden-moon-pavilion-lights-up-the-night-at-hong-kongs-mid-autumn-festival/" target="_blank">mathematical formulations</a> to create structures that require the most minimal materials, but are structurally sound.

SUTD’s pavilion uses a catenary curve formula, to create a canopy shell that requires no support beams, columns or vertical walls. The shell has no steel structural joints, which reduces materials used.

Each of the panels used to make up the structure was <a href="http://inhabitat.com/transparent-honeycomb-treehugger-pavilion-lights-up-the-night-in-germany/bu19-1/" target="_blank">prefabricated from plywood</a> and galvanized steel in Singapore, then shipped to the site for assembly.

The SUTD pavilion required 3,000 plywood pieces and 600 sheet metal tiles, that are assembled like scales to create the glittering structure, which SUTD students helped to put together.

SUTD uses the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/sou-fujimotos-nebulous-2013-serpentine-gallery-pavilion-opens-to-the-public-in-london/" target="_blank">temporary pavilion</a> as an addition to the library, giving students shaded green space, and outdoor work space with desks, Wifi, and mobile bookshelves, and a hub for evening lectures and events.

The easily assembled structure was created to be taken apart in two years. The components, which are each labeled with a numeric code for easy reassembly, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/foret-ii-is-a-meditation-pavilion-made-from-810-reclaimed-shipping-pallets/" target="_blank">could be recycled</a> should the university decide to not rebuild.