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.

The Shell structure is a very thin and strong self-supporting structure that is durable and has very intricate outer and inner integral layers. The use of modern production technologies allows us to easily generate complex-shaped mouldings. Thanks to the material properties of the Effix Design, panels are formed in these moulds in high precision. In analogy to the nature of the seashell structure, we are able to replicate this natural process and re-generate this sea-shell-like environment in the Seaside park of Varna.   ​​​​​​​

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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