Imagine you’re walking through a beautiful forest. You’re taking in everything and breathing the fresh air deeply, feeling a sense of serenity and calmness wash over you after all the noise and chaos of the concrete jungle. Suddenly, in the middle of a clearing, you see a structure that seems ancient but also looks modern. Do you run away from it, thinking you’re suddenly on an episode of Lost, or do you go towards it and explore what it is and what it’s doing there in the forest?
Designer:
If you’re the former, we can’t blame you. But if you’re the latter, you’ll probably enjoy exploring the COMPLUVIUM, a water shelter in the Rouen forest in northwestern France. It is a geometric spatial structure that provides a stark but interesting contrast to the forest and greenery surrounding it. The materials used mainly for it, pinewood, fiberglass, and linen, integrates the pavilion into the landscape of the forest. The way it’s designed, it also highlights how water blends in with the forest as it is able to collect and frame the rain instead of just being protected from it.
The COMPLUVIUM is a cube like structure with a structural base made from pinewood which grounds it in natural materials. It uses fiberglass that is reinforced with resin to let the light filter through and at the same time, protecting the shelter from extreme weather conditions and also wear and tear over time. The interior and exterior surface use locally sourced linen with the former using the natural finish and the later getting a black protective coating. It brings together local building traditions like the wood and line which are part of Normandy’s cultural identity while also bringing contemporary spatial experimentation. The central void of the pavilion has a 5 x 5 x 5-meter cubic configuration while the inward-sloping roofs serve as the catch basin of the structure, directing the rainwater to the center. This is meant to be a contemplative space in the middle of the forest, bringing together water and light, and all the different materials put together to achieve the marriage of the two.
The COMPLUVIUM, therefore, is more than just a shelter. It’s a carefully crafted experience. It invites contemplation, not just of the rain, but of the interplay between nature and design. By blending traditional materials and modern architectural principles, P + S Estudio de Arquitectura has created a space that both contrasts with and complements its forest setting. It’s a place where one can reconnect with the natural world, finding a moment of peace within the gentle rhythm of falling rain, framed and celebrated by the unique design of the COMPLUVIUM. It stands as a testament to the power of architecture to not only provide shelter, but to enhance our understanding and appreciation of the environment around us.
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