Isaac Tu spike

Pavilions · TBC

Kankakee Gizmos

Physical model of a small glass pavilion with a ribbed brown dome roof and two white fan units on top, a sofa inside, and small trees and figures on green grass

Two small buildings designed through physical models: a laser-cut and woodworked gizmo on the Kankakee River, and a balsa-and-tracing-paper cafe with a wavy glass ribbon.

Location
Kankakee River, Illinois
Status
Studio

Two small buildings made first as models: a slicing, fitting, interlocking gizmo by a river, and a stack of platforms wrapped in a glass ribbon.

Model studies

Through the use of various model-making methods, these designs are the birth of efficient, functional, and innovative gizmo architecture. One model takes a rounded form, slices it into sections, laser-cuts them and fits them together into a grid-like interlocking structure. The other is woodworking: a form that seems to be two pieces of wood intertwined.

  • Light wood model of two thick timber pieces curling around each other, with two small figures beside it for scale

    Woodworking model: two timbers intertwined

  • Brown card model of a rounded dome made from interlocking vertical ribs forming a grid, with two small standing figures beside it for scale

    Laser-cut model: a rounded form sliced into sections

Lakeside Sanctuary

Given a location along the Kankakee River in Illinois, USA, this project calls for an innovative design that enables human interaction with the surrounding environment. The Lakeside Sanctuary was inspired by modularity and various self-sustaining systems. All these ideas infused together created the result: a gizmo-style design.

Render of a small glass pavilion with a copper ribbed dome roof and two white fan units on top, furnished inside, on a grassy bank with a lake and hills behind and two people walking past
The Lakeside Sanctuary on the river bank
  • Render of the pavilion seen between pine trunks, with the lake and distant hills behind

    Lakeside Sanctuary, view through the trees

  • Render of the pavilion with open doors on a grassy hill, people sitting and walking nearby

    Lakeside Sanctuary, from the meadow

  • Render of the pavilion beside the lake with hills behind and people at the shore

    Lakeside Sanctuary, at the water

  • Physical model of a small glass pavilion with a ribbed brown dome roof and two white fan units on top, a sofa inside, and small trees and figures on green grass

    Model of the Lakeside Sanctuary

  • Upright photo of the model pavilion: the ribbed dome with a tilted panel and white fan units, and the glass drum below with a sofa inside

    The model from the side

The physical model
Top view of a teardrop-shaped pod with a timber ring wall and a furnished interior
Plan of the sanctuary

How it goes together

Scroll to lift the fans, the roof and the wall cage off the base.

Placeholder panel for the exploded axonometric of the Lakeside Sanctuary, which is still to be added
Placeholder: exploded axonometric
  • Placeholder panel for section 1 of the Lakeside Sanctuary, which is still to be added

    Placeholder: section 1

  • Placeholder panel for section 2 of the Lakeside Sanctuary, which is still to be added

    Placeholder: section 2

The cafe

Getting back to the basics, this project is the outcome of countless model sketches made out of balsa wood and tracing paper. The final model has a wavy ribbon glass facade and cascading platforms that create simple programmatic capabilities. Envisioned as a cafe, the different levels allow customers to enjoy their visit on the higher, deeper levels while the barista is situated on the lowest platform. A glass facade provides natural light to the customers, enveloping them in the surroundings.

  • Balsa wood model of stacked cascading platforms with small figures standing on them

    Cafe model, side

  • Balsa wood frame model with a long wavy ribbon of tracing paper wrapped along the facade and platforms stepping down behind it

    Cafe model, ribbon facade