Project // Temporary Exhibition Pavilion
Scope // Feasibility Study
Size // 970 sqm
Client // Bauhaus Dessau Foundation
Consultant // Technical Planning, Ingenieurbüro Sawka / Light Design, maßlicht
Location // Bauhausplatz, Dessau
Status // n.n.
Year // 2012
The Bauhaus-Pavilion is an temporary exhibition space with a complete mirror facade, located opposite of the historic Bauhaus building in Dessau. The mirror facade of the Bauhaus Pavilion seams to be a neglect of architectural intention, yet it is derived from an particular architectural position. The mirror facade is the most adequate solution for this Pavilion in the context of the Bauhaus World Heritage building. To neglect the actual architecture appearance of the Pavilion in favor of extending the perception of the established Bauhaus icon questions the meaning of this icon as well as the meaning of World Heritage buildings in general.
The mirror has a long history of theoretical reflections and meanings representing vanity, lust or self-knowledge, intelligence and truth. Architecturally it can be understood as an inclusion of space in a surface and the extension of reality. Yet the mirror facade in the context of the Bauhaus questions the status of the original and the consequence of its duplication. Is the mirrored appearance an adulteration of the original or an extension of its preconceived gaze? Regardless of any judgment, the known transparencies and interrelation of views of the Bauhaus will be temporary change through the mirror facade. New transparencies will be created, new views will be opened and surprising perceptions will be possible in ever changing atmospheres of the context.
The two exhibition spaces can be used separately or combined to accommodate exhibitions of various size. The technical equipment of the spaces allow the exhibition of historic and heigh quality exhibits. The use of daylight can be regulated and the space can be completely darkened and two systems of artificial lights allow a differentiated lighting.
The temporary existence of the building lead us to design a minimal intrusion to the ground. Furthermore, all building elements are configured to ensure a maximum of re-use or recycling with a minimum of material wast.
Team: Wilfried Hackenbroich with Mikolaj Scibisz