Elytra Filament Pavilion at Vitra

John Hill

27. February 2017

Photo: Julien Lanoo

This striking structure is a temporary addition to Vitra's campus of architectural delights in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Designed by Achim Menges of the University of Stuttgart's Institute for Computational Design (ICD), the cellular canopy is a complement to the Hello, Robot. Design between Human and Machine exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum.

Menges worked with Moritz Dörstelmann of the ICD as well as Jan Knippers of the university's Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE). A couple years ago the team built a web-like research pavilion of carbon fibers that mimicked a spider web. Last year saw the first iteration of the Elytra Filament Pavilion, at the V&A in London, though its fibrous structure looks to the forewing shells of flying beetles (elytra) for inspiration. Like its predecessor, the pavilion now on display at Vitra is made from carbon fibers that are wound by robots, making it a fitting companion to the Hello, Robot exhibition.

The Elytra Filament Pavilion and Hello, Robot. Design between Human and Machine are on display at the Vitra Campus until 14 May 2017.