The Paper Pavilion

The Paper Pavilion is a retail project involving the re-purposing of two warehouse units at the Geylang Bahru industrial estate, Singapore, in a hypothetical scenario of future gentrification(with reference to current URA masterplans). The scheme proposes an adaptive reuse of the units into a high-tech recyclable furniture showroom, set to be a harmonious assemblage of the latest cutting-edge technologies with environmental sustainability in focus. Assenting to the project stratagem(to be an especial recyclable furniture showroom of the future), the proposal seeks to appropriate novel technologies such as piezo-electric insulation(for anthropogenic energy harvesting) while leveraging on the properties of materials such as cardboard for experimentation. With the stipulated space packed in a compact footprint of 3230sq.ft, a "vertical" approach was used to negotiate the formation of distinctive display spaces, resulting in "The Cardboard Jungle" concept. This "jungle", where trees were cut down for the production of paper resulting in the by-product of cardboard, is symbolically resurrected to form the genius loci of the place through a deliberated caricature of their former "life" existence by crafting 5 high-volume vertical display spaces of cardboard.Its comprehensive application as an unconventional structural material to accentuate spatial hegemony within the building envelope creates an ethereal experience, emphasizing lighting properties.