In the realm of architectural innovation, the “3-Minute Corridor” pavilion by WallMakers, curated by Tosin Oshinowo, emerges as a poignant commentary on global waste management, particularly spotlighting the underexplored potential of material reuse.
Nestled within the vibrant fabric of the Triennial, this exhibit is a testament to the transformative power of design thinking, particularly in the Global South, offering fresh perspectives on sustainable architecture.
The pavilion, an architectural embodiment of environmental consciousness, is a striking visual narrative of the waste crisis plaguing our ecosystems. Its core material, discarded tires – which account for a significant fraction of global waste – is repurposed ingeniously using the “Tire Masonry and Unstabilized Sand” technique. This method not only elevates the humble tire to a viable building block but also addresses the acute shortage of conventional building materials. By encasing these tires in mud plaster, WallMakers not only proposes an alternative but demonstrates the practicality and resilience of such materials in construction.
Architecturally, the pavilion is a dome-like structure, skillfully crafted from 1,425 tires. This number is emblematic, representing the staggering daily waste of tires worldwide. Its construction, sourced from the disposal sites of Sharjah, is a blend of these tires and desert sand, a material often dismissed in construction circles. This innovative masonry method doesn’t just challenge preconceived notions about building materials; it also explores the concept of thermal insulation in arid climates like Sharjah and the UAE. The pavilion is an experiment in creating habitable spaces without the need for active cooling, a revolutionary idea in sustainable architecture.
The “3-Minute Corridor” is more than just an architectural installation; it is a temporal piece, echoing the Triennial’s theme: The Beauty of Impermanence: An Architecture of Adaptability. Approximately 95% of the pavilion is designed to dissolve back into the desert, embodying the transient nature of existence and the adaptability of architecture. As a hub for architectural discourse, the Triennial, through this pavilion, positions itself as a crucible for innovative ideas, bridging gaps between West Asia, South Asia, and Africa. The interaction with curator Tosin Oshinowo provides deeper insights into the philosophical underpinnings of this project, revealing a larger vision of sustainability and adaptability in architecture.
