area 106 | simplicity

architect: Martijn de Geus, Philip Mannaerts

location: Delft, the Netherlands

year: 2007

The basic design is a simple, cube-shaped BlackBox within which the different activities set out in the design specifications can take place in various configurations. Thus there is always a degree of stimulating mystery as to what is taking place inside. The pavilion has a temporary appearance in two senses. On the one hand the fact that its use is temporary. In the course of each week a number of different, not always more precisely defined activities take place. Thus the building also needs a powerful aura when not in use. This is a factor in line with the decision in favor of the Black Box: at times when no activities are taking place in the building this should not affect the impression generated by the building. But when something is indeed happening inside this is also clear, thanks to the large casement door on the terrace, measuring 5.4 x 4.5m (width x height). Nonetheless, the main impression created by the building is that of a temporary nature. Temporary in the sense of mutable; transient; living. This living quality (in the sense of transient; temporary) is also reflected in the lifecycle of the building. The pavilion ‘comes into being’ at a certain location; it has a period of flowering in which it is used intensively; and after five years it will be demolished again; dead. A cycle, which in this temporary pavilion is, experienced more rapidly that in an average building. We have decided to exploit this fact; not just to go through three phases, but also to ensure that it always looks different. Every season, every month, every week…This means the building has an exterior appearance that changes every day: a living environment is created around/on top of/by/on the building where nature can blossom. This is why a system of recycled felt sheets and irrigation pipes has been selected, which will enable plants to grow quickly up and around the cube.

When starting his academic career in 2004, Martijn de Geus chose to study architecture because it was the only field in which he was free and able to combine different disciplines and a broad interest in social cultural themes, within an active and dynamic discourse that was able to participate in the debate of social developments. While in his second year, he got the opportunity to take part in the competition for the new Stylos-pavilion at the TU in Delft, in collaboration with Philip Mannaerts. Being selected out of 65 entries by an internationally renowned jury, this was the first chance to implement some of his ideas in a physical format. The completion of this ‘BlackBox’ pavilion in 2007 proofed to be an important point in his early career and after finishing his BSc in Architecture in February 2008 he was given the opportunity to work with Behnisch Architects Inc. in Los Angeles, USA, a renowned socially engaged practice. This experience within a city that has public space in its worst form, combined with previous travels through Europe and Asia, that also included an inspiring journey through Japan, was a turning point in his research towards global social developments. This research towards a future manifest formed the base for a multi-disciplinary research platform that he founded in December 2008, together with fashion designer Bart van Dulmen, and that will start to engage in the public discourse during the second half of 2009. In 2008 Martijn de Geus also founded his own practice, Vision Included, and started working as a project manager with Marc Koehler Architects.