FLOATASTIC 1.0
Floating Architecture Redefined: "Balance Through Buoyancy" by QASTIC Lab
QASTIC Lab proudly presents “Balance Through Buoyancy”, a cutting-edge research pavilion known as “Floatastic.” This innovative and temporary structure was commissioned by a private client to serve as a striking shade pavilion for a wedding ceremony. Nestled within the historic Edgerton Park in New Haven, Connecticut—an Olmsted-designed landscape—this deployable pavilion challenges traditional architectural norms by eliminating the need for ground-imposed loads.
Instead of conventional support systems, the pavilion uses a helium-filled balloon to lift the weight of its fabric veils and adapt to environmental dynamics. This groundbreaking approach achieves buoyancy through the efficient use of helium, creating a floating shelter that harmonizes with its natural surroundings.
Designer in charge: Mahdi A.Bakhshian
Design Team: M.R. Mojahedi - Reza Zia - Ali Sadeghian
Consultants: G. Hurcomb - Samuel Ray Jacobson
Design Consultant: Nathaniel Hadley
Design and Fabrication Team: Ali Sadeghian, Reza Zia, Ahmad Jamei, Carlos Bugatti, Delara Zarrinabadi, Lili Saliani
Design & Fabrication Consultants: Nathaniel Hadley, Mohamad Reza Mojahedi
Client: Jahangir Mohamadzadeh
Project Year: 2013
Exploring Buoyancy and Spatial Design
The design concept pushes boundaries by exploring the interplay between the structure’s “flesh”—its functional and aesthetic components—and its spatial effects. The helium balloon works in dialogue with the fabric veils, alternating between relaxation and tension. This dynamic interaction creates stunning double-curvature configurations that redefine the relationship between structural precision and fluidity.
Innovative Construction Techniques
The pavilion’s form is crafted through a blend of geometric precision and artistic randomness. The helium balloon features precisely calculated formwork, while its PVC pipe framework on the ground incorporates irregularly varying edges. This thoughtful design allows the pavilion to adapt to different heights, climates, and locations, ensuring functionality and versatility.
A Pavilion in Harmony with Nature
Floatastic is designed to respond to its environment and microclimatic fluctuations over a 24-hour cycle. These ever-changing conditions create unique yet steady buoyant states, offering a seamless blend of architecture and nature. The pavilion serves as a testament to the potential of lightweight, deployable structures in modern design, demonstrating how architecture can be both innovative and environmentally conscious.
