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Park Gate

About Project

Intention was to treat the design of the park gate as a landmark and a signifier with specific identity, which will result to an attractive place for social interaction. Design is driven by the search for maximum clarity, with immediately understandable symbols. A light structure reduces the pictorial outline of the tree to its simplest form, whilst expressing an elegant and effortless sensibility to the surroundings. Visually it is considered important to keep the overall look and feel quite neutral and simple but also joyful.

The end result is a combination of scale, detail, and refinement that treats the gate structure with a three-dimensional aspect. Surfaces merge together creating a fluid object with a liminal space that draws the outer surface inside and vice versa.

Relating to the openness of the park, the gate’s arrangement orientates and leads people through the underlying path. It organizes a focal point of reference for meetings and gatherings under the lightweight canopy. This creates a breathing space that coincides with the movement of public through an architectural response that is sensitive to context, aiming to be as near to human movement as possible. At the base, the curved surface creates openings reminiscent of a hole or a nest in a tree trunk.

The main structural elements are formed from galvanized steel which is hand finished and welded together and structure is enameled to protect steel from corrosion. The dynamics of the silhouette are further emphasized by the use of Cross laminated timber (CLT) that is used to clad the undulating surface. This relates the warmth of wood and the surrounding natural environment, combining the distinguished techniques of timber craftsmanship and modern design.

The steel structure supports a canopy formalized by a network of hanging ribbons. The light steel structure and the array of fabric strips exchange their properties, while the breeze accentuates the interplay of light and shadow, referring to the movement of the tree leaves. Careful consideration has been given on the integration of the gate structure through different seasons inside the park, with the ribbons’ appearance as frozen crystals in the winter.

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  • Niko Kapa
  • Studio NIko Kapa
  • Eco project
  • Forming a dialogue with natural environment, the park gate becomes landmark and signifier with specific identity, resulting to an attractive place for social interaction. A light structure reduces the pictorial outline of the tree to its simplest form, whilst expressing an elegant and effortless sensibility to its surroundings.

Designers/Architects

Niko Kapa

Company

Studio NIko Kapa

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