Ban is the latest pavilion by architects Orproject which has been constructed for the Beijing Design Week 2012. The Chinese title refers to floral petals, and similar to the way that the shape of a flower is created by its bent petals, Ban is constructed from bent polymer sheets which form a self-supporting structure and create shapes and volume from a multitude of leaves.

Based on Orproject’s research into anisotropic sheet morphologies, the geometries have here been used in a structural orthogonal orientation and form a system of columns, arches and vaults, all based on single-curved elements. The resulting field of lines takes the viewer’s eye across the structure and into the sky, and like a giant flower Ban is hovering in the air above Beijing’s ancient Hutong roofs.

Title: Ban Architects: Orproject Project Manager: Shuai Yang
Project Team: Kevin Wang, Marian Ma, Qiuwen Shi Date: October 2012 Material: PETG
Photographs: Jasper James and Orproject
Sponsors: SK Chemicals, Penghao Theatre