OFFICE 310
PAVILION – Cambridge, MA
American Architecture (Model) aspires to promote the mythical cornerstone of American constitutional democracy – the freedom of expression. Evoking the tradition of a soapbox, the pavilion provides a dedicated space for a public debate. In the times when American society is experiencing a paradigm shift that drives the necessary social change in racial justice, gender equity, class privilege, or inclusive right to health care, the prevailing online communication has stirred a babel of voices. The instant and limited format of expression on social platforms, their lack of accountability and clear mechanisms of regulation often lead to abuse of free speech. The revival of a real public space, as opposed to the virtual one, proposes to challenge how these urgent issues are addressed.
Year
2022 – 2023
Location
Cambridge, MA, US
Type
Culture, Education, Public
Status
Built
Surface
145 m2
Client
GSD Harvard University
Collaborator(s)
UTIL Struktuurstudies, hp engineers
Design team
Kersten Geers, David Van Severen, Jan Lenaerts, Inga Karen Traustadottir, Leander Venlet
Photographs
Justin Knight