The Structure of the pergola is designed to create an open space
Defining the best space where students gather to have a beer after the university is the aim of the pergola. The thin pillars are almost invisible. Placed in order to spatially disappear, they are almost unnoticeable. The delicate lumber roof seems to fly, floating above people. Nevertheless invisible boundaries of shadow delineate a newly created open space. The architecture of the pergola is silent.
A custom design rooftop terrace with the atmosphere of a beach
The design of deck chairs is custom made. Every respective deck chair has its own color. A different bird name is written in white capital letters on the fabric. Since all chairs are particular, clients can pick their own seat which corresponds better to their mood. The colored deck chairs parody Italian beaches and are a direct reference to Fellini’s movies (Otto e mezzo; Morte a Venezia)
Multicolored cushions are the design key for the atmosphere
Each couch has a different multicolored cushion. The cushions are place randomly, so a bench can also have a striped cushion instead of a solid color. When clients, students or people go to the pergola it is holidays to them because of the beach atmosphere. The design of the rooftop plays with the paradox of the location: clients have the feeling to be on a lido, by the sea but in face they are on the top of student housing in Switzerland facing the mountains and the lake.
Structure and architecture blend with the 7 wooden benches
There are seven benches solid wood benches in total. But they are not solely there to be a place where one can sit: they are important to the engineering stability of the architecture.Tree of the benches are used to anchor the pergola to the rooftop, structurally stabilising movement agains strong wind gust. Without the structure fixed to the benches, the pergola would fly away like a bird each time a storm passes by.
Connexion and joints of the of the lumber are essential to the feeling of lightness
The wooden structure of the pergola is simple. If you look closely the joinery of the lumber is rather complex. Each connexion is interdependent. The assembly technique of the lumber aims to give a feeling of lightness. The shelter created under the pergola becomes to best place for students to enjoy the view on the mountain and the lake. The strong sunlight of the summer breaks on the couch creating shadow. This unique structure created by Authos’ architects frees the space underneath the pergola.