2014 | Vaulted Willow | Permanent Public Art Pavilion | Borden Park, Edmonton, Canada

Commissioned by The Edmonton Arts Council and completed on June 18th, 2014 Design & computation: MARC FORNES & THEVERYMANY™ Engineering: Will Laufs, LaufsED

Vaulted Willow is an architectural folly exploring lightweight, self-supported shells through the development of custom computational protocols of structural form-finding and descriptive geometry. The project's aim is to resolve and delineate structure, skin and ornamentation into a single unified system.

The overall morphology is the result of a reciprocal relationship encompassing experiments in non-linear architectural typology (multiple entries, distributed feet with branching and spiraling legs), structural differentiation (bifurcation of structural download forces, tighter radii of leg profiles for rigidity,...) and programmatic possibilities for a winding playground (hide and seek,...)

The surface is formulated through a fabrication strategy of intricate shingles assembling into a striated structural skin. The shingles are similar yet unique digitally fabricated stripes that overlap through extended tabs to double material thickness.

The stripe colors originate from Vaulted Willow's surrounding environment, though for it to be an iconic destination within Borden Park, the colors are pushed toward artificiality. The greens and blues blend into a synthetic magenta, overlapping to reveal a two-way Cheshire scheme.