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Evelyn's Park
A series of pavilions for Evelyn's Park, Houston.
SWA Group - 2013
Natasha Beard - Project Lead, Post-Processing
Scott Liang - Environments Design, 3D Modeling, Rendering
As a designer at SWA Group, I was tasked with creating several proposals for a pavilion in Evelyn's Park, Houston.
Since Evelyn's Park is located near (and sponsored by) residents of an upper-income neighborhood, the "Cloud" concept was meant to explore their vision for a space "lush with art." In this sense, it aims to intensify the experience—condensing the act of discovering one art piece after another into a tight, curated space. At one scale, each piece is a whimsical "Folly" to be experienced (viewed, touched, sat on, even inhabited). At another, the pavilion maintains a sense of holism to serve as a piece of art in its own right.
Here, an organic, undulating trellis is supported by chrome-plated columns that appear to be randomly dispersed (diameters are calculated according to the load each column must support). At times, the trellis is punctuated by massive steel or colored-glass "vases." Each is a unique experience on its own—some can be inhabited, others can not. Some reflect and radiate light, others transform the light that passes through them into beautiful colorful shadows.
The "Transformer" concept was deliberately designed in contrast to the Cloud concept. Sharp and linear, with delicate trellises and a glazed roof.
Left on the cutting room floor was the "Noodle." It was meant to appear like separate roofs, engaging in a luscious dance. Occasional coming together, occasionally pulling apart. At times, dipping down to greet the public.
Each Noodle was further expressive through its construction. The layers started uniformly, then were occasionally peeled back and reintroduced to create varying senses of weight.
