Rainforest is a public pavilion by Chilean-German architecture practice GUN Architects,installed in London's Bedford Square during the Summer of 2014. An imposing five metre highmicro-climate of minimal tree-like structures with a field of pyramidal fabric ‘stalactites’ whichgently drip water – the pavilion is an oasis in the centre of London. Visitors can sit beneath acanopy of inverted prisms to enjoy a forest-like environment of raindrops, pools and plants.
Rainforest is part of GUN Architects' exploration into natural dynamics in the diverse Chileanclimate – making water a protagonist of the architecture, where the production of temporalatmospheres is based on water circulation and accumulation. The practice engages inarchitectural and urban projects rooted in the environmental and cultural context of Chile,attempting to develop design forms which are consistent with current urban expansion and itsassociated geographical conditions.
An exhibition in the main AA Gallery accompanies the pavilion and describes the developmentof Rainforest through earlier research by GUN Architects, the pavilion’s conceptual evolutionand technical engineering. The exhibition also features photographic works by Cristóbal Palmaand Helene Binet.
Rainforest will form a major part of the AA’s most important event of the year, Projects Review2014, which takes place from 28th June to 19th July and is our annual celebration of the workof the school, attended by 4,000 members of the public, students, AA members, journalists andarchitects.
The installation will also be part of the 2014 London Festival of Architecture – an annual eventthat "celebrates the City’s role as a global hub of architectural experimentation, thinking,learning and practice." The festival takes place between the 1st and 30th of June.
Notes: This project is supported by Consejo de la Cultura y las Artes Chile, Architectural Association, British Council in Chile, Anglo Chilean Society - Alan Macdonald Endowment, Interdesign and Reggiani
