The Seaside Garden is located by the seashore of the City of Varna, closely connecting the people between the city and the sea. While providing accesses for the people of Varna from the city to the beaches (and vice versa), it also provides a generous green zone accommodating various kinds of activities for the enjoyment of people during the summer seasons. We see the opportunity of creating some accommodations of small functions in various locations in the Seaside Park to facilitate people’s activities such as vending, eating, drinking and socialising. We picture these accommodations as creatures like the Sea Shells that we see along the Seaside beaches, as we often see these natural creatures as an integral part of the seaside coasts, and wonder about the mystical spaces that these Sea Shells provide for different kinds of organisms to dwell within.

Nature’s precision in architecture

The Shell structure is an innovative architectural design that combines strength and elegance, utilizing a thin yet durable self-supporting framework. Its intricate outer and inner layers form a complex, seamless system that contributes to both its structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Modern production technologies play a crucial role in achieving this precision, allowing for the creation of complex-shaped mouldings with ease and efficiency. The unique material properties of Effix Design enable the formation of high-precision panels within these moulds, ensuring that every detail of the structure is executed flawlessly.

Drawing inspiration from the natural world, particularly the intricate design of seashells, the process behind the Shell structure mimics nature’s own ability to create resilient and beautiful forms. This analogy extends to the creation of a sea-shell-like environment in the Seaside Park of Varna, where the structure will seamlessly blend with its coastal surroundings, inviting visitors to experience a harmonious connection between architecture and nature. The project not only showcases advanced engineering techniques but also celebrates the timeless beauty of nature’s designs.

Shell Panels

The Shell Panel is a single element of a rigid folded concrete plane made by Effix Design. The slim and rigid properties of a folded concrete plane integrates structural, exterior and interior finishes in only 50 mm of thickness. The surface finish of the concrete planes also provides a naturally robust and seamless surface that is easy to clean, and true to its materiality. Two Shell Panels can be easily connected together on either end of the panel by a simple concealed connection forming a part of a structure. Three Shell panels with two connections forming an arch hence forming a simple ‘kiosk’ module. The slopped planes of the structure direct rainwater to fall naturally on each side so that there is no need to incorporate drainage strategy.  

These modules can then be repeated in length to create various sizes of pavilions and can be customised into different interior/exterior environment according to the users’ needs. The pavilions are not only design for temporary solutions, they can even be converted into permanent structures with enhanced flooring and lighting systems to facilitate various activities for the Sea Garden park.

Awards

Public Award in the EFFIX Competition

Credits

Project developed in collaboration with Jessica Lai.

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