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#PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS

butterfly pavilion by 3deluxe clad with over 4,000 aluminum flowers

al noor island is the latest tourist attraction to be built in the city of sharjah, in the united arab emirates.

the man-made isle was designed by austrian artist andré heller, and hosts a range of features, including a 230m2 ‘butterfly pavilion’ by german studio 3deluxe. the park was officially opened this week, with further projects slated for construction in coming months.

the ‘butterfly pavilion’, whose ornamental roof structure gives the island its defining characteristic, houses more than 500 species in a unique biosphere. inside the intervention’s glass-box exterior, a 3D-modeled surface — made of thermoformed krion — extends seamlessly across all walls and the floor’s entirety without repeating a single pattern.

the highly complex roof is composed of a load-bearing 3D frame with over 4,000 golden aluminum leaves of various sizes. the shape is the product of intense formal explorations using parametric design practices, and includes considerations for traditional arabian ornamentation. the result is an overlaying of materials and moods that blends into a complex, yet simple, spatial experience.

back inside, is a fully-operational café. drawing influence from water lilies, the space is dominated by a light sculpture that hovers above the main seating area. dividing walls that resemble petals that have fallen to the earth, paired with comfortable furniture, provide a pleasantly cool respite from the always-intense local sunlight.

the freeform roof is composed of a load-bearing 3D frame with over 4,000 golden aluminum leaves

Details

  • Sharjah - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
  • 3deluxe