SERENE SPIRAL
A Pavilion in Washington University in St. Louis
Spring 2024 | St. Louis Missouri
Instructor: Zeuler Lima
Skills: Rhino 3D, Enscape Render, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, 3D Printing
This self-led capstone project explores how color, materiality, and spatial form influence mood and perception. Designed as a retreat from the fast-paced university environment, Serene Spiral serves as a sanctuary for students, faculty, and visitors seeking respite from academic pressures. The pavilion creates an evolving sensory experience that fosters calmness and contemplation through the interplay of light, shadow, and curved surfaces.
In high-pressure environments, where students and faculty navigate demanding schedules, spaces that provide psychological relief without leaving the campus are needed. The challenge was to design a space that not only serves as a retreat but also intuitively guides users, leveraging spatial design to create an emotional shift. The pavilion needed to be navigable yet organic while also encouraging exploration on a sensory level, using materiality, color, and lighting conditions to shape one's experience.
CHALLENGE
CONCEPT
The conceptualization of the pavilion began with an exploration of emotional responses to color. Through a series of abstract drawings, I examined how different colors influenced my perception of form and movement. BLUE naturally lent itself to soft, rounded curves, evoking a sense of calm and openness, while RED produced sharp, angular forms, reflecting tension and urgency. These studies became the foundation for the pavilion’s form.
DESIGN
The design features two interwoven walls, one concave and the other convex, which subtly guide visitors inward. This curvature not only defines movement through the space but also frames the sky above, directing attention away from external distractions and toward a moment of stillness. A vivid blue hue, reminiscent of a clear midday sky, contrasts with the muted tones of the campus, immediately signaling a shift in atmosphere. Visitors are encouraged to sit, lean, or recline along the gently sculpted walls, engaging with the space in a way that feels natural and restorative.
Time and sensory perception are integral to the experience of the pavilion. As the sun moves across the sky, the interplay of light and shadow transforms the space, creating a dynamic environment that evolves throughout the day. The gradual movement of shadows enhances the meditative quality of the pavilion, subtly reinforcing the passage of time and encouraging mindfulness. This interaction between form and light ensures that no two visits feel the same, making each experience unique to the moment.