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Tension Pavillion

modular // joinery

place activation

'Space gains meaning through tension'

University, Taiwan
Completed in Nov 2024

÷

Ø

live built

The pavilion is an intricate structure built on the principles of tension, with iron columns and cables working together to achieve equilibrium. The design interweaves three smaller pavilions, creating a harmonious space that is visually dynamic. Circular plates integrated into the structure serve a dual purpose, collect rainwater and reflect the surrounding landscape. These reflective elements draw inspiration from the historical ponds of Taiwan (埤塘), blending cultural significance with innovative design.

The pavilion's circular plates can be adjusted by locals, fostering community interaction as they work together to alter the plates' height and tilt. This interactive pavillion also serves as an educational tool, encouraging students to explore the creative possibilities of tension-architecture. It allow student imagine how voids can transform into planes and how the arrangement of multiple planes can generate spaces, offering a unique perspective on spatial design and architectural potential.

Tension Pavillion Built Progress

The pavilion is an intricate structure built on the principles of tension, with iron columns and cables working together to achieve equilibrium. The design interweaves three smaller pavilions, creating a harmonious space that is visually dynamic. Circular plates integrated into the structure serve a dual purpose, collect rainwater and reflect the surrounding landscape. 

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Tools Assemble
 

Tools List
 

Each tool has provided convenience for the students, enabling the smooth completion of the Tension Pavilion.

The tools used include:

1. Stair

2. Nuts

3. Bolts

4. Pliers

5. Driller

6. Spanar

7. Washer

8. Wire Rope

9. Turnbuckle

10. Paint Brush

11. Paint bucket

12. Leveling Ruler

13. Threaded Rod

14. Skidproof Shoes

15. Waterproof Tarp

16. Wall Paint Spray

17. Colored Cellophane Tape

18. Cable Clip Clamp Crimps

19. Polypropylene Twisted Rope 3-Strand

20. Prosperity Red and Avon Dark Blue Wall Paint 

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Tension Cable and U-Clips

Tension cables connect the hollow steel on both sides, secured with bolts, nuts, and three U-clips for added stability.

Tension Cable
 

Tightening Turnbuckle

Hollow Steel
 

The pavilion features hollow steel in Prosperity Red and Avon Dark Blue, positioned distinctly. These components have 50mm-spaced holes at 90-degree angles for bolts and nuts to secure tension cables. Stability is ensured by anchoring tension to opposing steel diameters to preventing movement.

Screenshot 2024-11-23 144917.png

Marking Middle line
 

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Tightening  Yellow Plate

Turnbuckle
 

 Stretching screw or bottlescrew is a device for adjusting the tension cable to make it more tighter. 

Plate and Yellow Rope
 

The plates made by yellow colour acrylic it function is to collect rainwater, reflecting the surroundings. They are adjustable, fostering community interaction by adjusting the yellow rope that tied by slip knots

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Adjusting Yellow Plate
 

’Rolling rolling rolling'

The tension pavilion is composed of three smaller tension pavilions, each adjustable through a rolling mechanism. This design allows students to easily reverse and reposition the pavilions, making angle adjustments convenient and dynamic.​​

Sept 2024_

Oct 2024_

Workshop

Prototyping 1:5

The  tension workshop designed to teach students the principles and logic of tension structures.

Students are currently experimenting and reflecting on the challenges they encounter when working with a 1:5 scale model.

Nov 2024_

Prototyping 1:1

After finalizing the design and materials, students are now testing the 1:1 scale pavilion to assess its feasibility and functionality.

Nov 2024_

Preparation

In Taiwan, student are purchasing and preparing all the materials needed for the pavilion construction.

Nov 2024_

Live Built

The students sacrificed their rest to finish the tension pavilion in a short time.

Tension Pavillion

Collabrators

Contributed by

 

八德一号社宅 . Makelab UCSI . SABE UCSI . Chung Yuan Christian University

Participant

 

Doris Quek Shu Han (Lecturer) . Eric 陈宣诚 (Lecturer) . Alice  王靖桦 . 郭冠廷 . 賴翊函 . 朱祐誼 . 黃喆 . 郭守閎 . 楊子姮 . 陳弘偉 . 吳紹權 . 趙翊廷 . 連愷彥 . 楊元蓁 . 沈長諭 . 張水 . 吳軍翰 . 王薇涵 . 史崑佑 . 詹宇宸 . 林啓華 . 廖于萱 . 張鈞汝 . Miao Annan . Low Jin Hui . Leow Yong Shern . Tham Le Yi

 

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