Shimmering Floating Pavilion Captivates Visitors from Afar

<a href="http://www.mos-office.net/#a" target="_blank">MOS Architects</a>’ temporary pavilion for the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bams-greenery-filled-floating-pods-win-the-venice-cityvision-competition/" target="_blank">Venice </a>Biennale looks as it if took inspiration from a children’s party. The installation, called <em>Instant Untitled</em>, was created with lightweight <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-sailing-satellite-to-thumb-a-ride-from-the-sun-in-2010/" target="_blank">Mylar</a> balloons that sparkled and attracted visitors from afar. The temporary pavilion was not only memorable, but extremely low-cost, and yielded very little waste.

Made by the son of Andy Warhol’s “Silver Clouds” fabricator, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/lockheeds-hale-d-blimp-is-a-solar-powered-spy-satellite/" target="_blank">oversized Mylar</a> balloons were inflated, then packed closely together inside of a courtyard. The grouping created a somewhat dense <a href="http://inhabitat.com/robert-jansons-floating-plastic-bag-sculptures-resemble-giant-pink-jellyfish/" target="_blank">canopy of balloons</a>, which emulated the surrounding tree canopy.

Tethered with thick green cords, the balloons floated above curved white benches, where guests could wander through, or take a rest on the benches and gaze up at the silver artificial ceiling.

Being buoyant in the air,<a href="http://inhabitat.com/urban-umbrella-urbanshed-competition-unveils-winning-prototype/" target="_blank"> the canopy </a>was in a constant state of flux. Wind caused it to either bob around pleasantly, like the party below, or moved the entire canopy all together from one side to another. The time of day also changes the effect and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/london-olympic-games-information-pavilion-concept-utilizes-recycled-materials/" target="_blank">mood of the pavilion</a>.

Varying sunlight changes the canopy from glowing to seemingly its own light source, when the high noon sun is reflected. In the morning, the feel is warm, with the reflection of the orangey sunrise. At night, the canopy takes on a darkness, reflecting only ambient lighting.

The pavilion also has very <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-schools-in-california-will-save-the-state-1-5-billion/" target="_blank">little environmental impact</a>, being that deflated, the entire thing can fold into practically nothing, requiring the cords just to be wound on a spool. But Instant Untitled isn’t just environmentally friendly- it also pays homage to the tree canopy it emulates. By choosing reflective silver, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/sky-lantern-tower/" target="_blank">balloons</a> amplify the surrounding foliage, contorting and twisting their reflection into a myriad of greens mixed with the blue of sky, a changing kaleidoscope above visitors’ heads.

MOS transformed a courtyard beautifully with only three simple elements, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-schools-in-california-will-save-the-state-1-5-billion/" target="_blank">balloons</a>, ropes and benches. They successfully have proven that innovation can be extremely simplistic.