Chamber of Pellucidity

Design background

The main concept of the design was to grow the building from a humble flower. The client wanted a building that was growing out from the ground so taking the idea of the flower bursting through the ground with the petals branching out from the stigma in the centre became the driving force behind the design. This vision was fuelled by the floor program of the Cite de la Musique in the Parc de la Villette in Paris. The central stigma is represented by the frosted glazing of the speakers dome giving a sense of a faceted diamond. Two buildings either side then grow out from the dome creating the flowers petals bursting out from within. In order to create the sombre feel of the lower floors as required by the client while also extending the concept of transparency the idea of creating a facade which opens up to the glazing as the building rises out of the ground. This idea not only helps to create a dark and sombre lower floors with bright well lit upper levels, but also creates the illusion of transparency in democracy breaking through the dark shackles of hidden government agendas and corruption, producing a democracy that is transparent not just to itself but across to the greater public it represents.

Structurally both buildings feature a series of large concrete columns that rise up in a tree like manner enhancing the flower design concept while also highlighting the buildings strong and sturdy footings similar to the strong and sturdy foundations of a democratic government. These tree like structures further create focal points through the building enhancing the experience had by the users.