Departamento del Distrito creates solar-powered pavilion in Los Angeles to cool visitors
Design studio Departamento del Distrito has installed a photovoltaic pavilion at the Craft Contemporary museum in Los Angeles that powers the electrical needs of the courtyard in which it sits.
Curated by local architectural organisation Materials & Applications, the Light Gauge installation straddles a courtyard on Wilshire Boulevard between Craft Contemporary and the clinic building next door.
It consists of two main volumes on either end of the outdoor space made of canopies hoisted atop adapted telecom frame components.
The canopies are made of south-facing photovoltaic panels interspersed with corrugated polycarbonate and metal mesh, while brightly colored green and yellow steel components add additional support.
According to Departamento del Distrito, the structure is connected to inverters and batteries on the ground, which provide power to plug-in components such as a series of fans that are suspended from the ceiling, drop-down cords, and lights.
Ultimately, it helps to power the museum's outdoor programming and "the everyday needs and whims of courtyard visitors", said Departamento del Distrito.
"Panels provide shade. Fans generate a subtle breeze. Energy is free," said the team.
The studio said its design was informed by "adaptable industrial systems and network thinking".
Other climate-oriented pavilions include a structure by Henning Larsen and the University of Pennsylvania that radiates cool air and an installation at Harvard that's lined with potted plants and an inflatable canopy.
Departamento del Distrito is based between Mexico City and Houston. Founded in 2017 by Francisco Quiñones and Nathan Friedman, the studio specialises in public, residential, and curatorial projects.
The photography is by Adriana Hamui
Light Gauge is on view until 26 October at Craft Contemporary in Los Angeles. For more exhibitions, talks and fairs in architecture and design visit Dezeen Events Guide.
Project credits:
Fabrication: Noah Shipley, Benito Barco, Edwin Ramirez
Departamento del Distrito: Nathan Friedman, Francisco Quiñones, Fernando Gómez, Jiani (Sherene) Liu, Alfonso Peláez, Guangyu (Chloe) Xu
M&A staff + program committee: Kate Yeh Chiu, Michael Lagos, Hilary Huckins-Weidner, Austin Merchant, Aviva Rubin, Leana Scott, Sara Suárez
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