Bologna | The Seed – temporary pavilion

Introduction – by Federica Lusiardi

The seed is an open-air temporary pavilion in many aspects exemplary of such type of structures: an intriguing shape, the capability to convey a message, inexpensiveness, and a simple building process. The organic form, a logical consequence of the metaphor of a seed adopted by the authors, hence its name, has been obtained by layering flat silhouettes simply screwed to wood battens. Furthermore, the clearness of the design allowed the structure to be assembled by non-specialized volunteers.

a view of the pavilion – copyright Ciclostile architettura – photo Fabio Mantovani.

Project report – by Ciclostile architettura

The Seed of Solidarity is a temporary pavilion for Cefa Onlus, a non-governmental voluntary service organization. The municipal administration of Bologna has hosted the Seed in Piazza Nettuno, to allow the association to meet the city in the two weeks before World Food Day.

plans, cross-sections, and detailed drawings of the Seed.

The Seed is designed to accommodate a dozen people, the depth of the ribs that compose it, draws two tables at different heights and a bench, circular form is capable of creating an intimate atmosphere despite the large visual permeability. The ribs are the backbone, the furniture, and the shading system; they are separated by wood battens, the only other element, in addition to the screws, which composes the constructive system.

The Seed during construction, copyright Ciclostile architettura – photo by Alberto Giancani.

Other views of the pavilion – copyright Ciclostile architettura – photo Fabio Mantovani