Architects Collective's Proposal for the Austrian Expo 2010 Pavilion

Yesterday, Bustler announced that the proposal by SPAN & Zeytinoglu has won the architectural competition for the design of the Austrian Pavilion at the Shanghai EXPO 2010. Here’s another noteworthy entry by Vienna-based studio Architects Collective that made it into the round of finalists. The title of the entry is “Waltz Me!”.

This is how the architects explain their project:

The pavilion consist of a wood frame structure with a rectilinear roof, no central columns and 4 walls that seam to dance in a circular motion to become a waltzing box. The buildings double-layered skin consists of an inner transparent film and an outer metal mesh similar to a skirt.

The predominant function of the building is that of a dance hall for visitors that are invited to learn to waltz in 2 minutes with a electronic dance floor to practice before hitting the dance floor. Beyond that the pavilion should serve for various events, include a café, a store and some offices. The classic Vienna waltz is a “left waltz”, the skirt therefore counter-clock-wise and at the same time a practical way to bring people in and out of the pavilion.

At the heart of the pavilion is an open (below and above) black box, that is floating above the dance floor to allow a flowing connection between circulation space and the dance floor for the shy and the brave alike. A long ramp surrounds the black box so visitors can watch the 2-minute dancers or other visitors. The black box itself works like a theater machine for strolling, acting, playing and watching in the sense of Kiesler´s space stage or Raumbühne.

Images: Architects Collective