Edge Assemblies

Edge Assemblies operates as a prototype for a civic architecture of economy, where minimal material and structural effort are used to generate varied spatial conditions, and where simple systems can support collective use, adaptation, and reuse across different contexts. Drawing on the spatial logic of kiosk culture — small, open civic structures that support everyday gathering, exchange, and pause — the project explores an urban condition that cuts across geographies.

The pavilion is a circular structure composed of interlocking plywood panels that together form a shared interior space. Open and porous at ground level, it can be entered from all sides. Rising above its surroundings as a compact vertical figure, it establishes a clear presence within the city while remaining permeable and accessible. Moving through it, the space gradually compresses and opens upward, creating a moment of spatial surprise as the sky is framed above. Integrated seating invites pause, turning the structure into a place to rest, gather, and observe.

Edge Assemblies is constructed from off-the-shelf plywood sheets used at their full size to minimize cutting, waste, and production cost. Each panel slots into the next in an irregular arrangement, forming a stable assembly through simple connection details. The elements are treated with a stain derived from grape pomace, giving the wood a deep red tone while using a byproduct of La Rioja’s local wine production.

Organized as a vertical gradient, the structure remains open and accessible at its base, while the upper ring consolidates into a denser enclosure that provides shade and defines the spatial experience. From a distance, the project reads as a compact, almost iconic figure; from within, it unfolds as a sequence of thresholds, edges, and framed views. Rather than relying on complex detailing, it produces a rich range of spatial effects through the careful arrangement of repeatable elements.

Location: Logroño, Spain / Program: Pavilion / Year: 2026 / Commissioned by Concéntrico Festival / Project team: Juergen Benson-Strohmayer (principal), Akash Deep / Fabricator: Spigo Group / Supported by: Concéntrico Festival, Austrian Cultural Forum Madrid, Spigo Group