CloudHouse

CloudHouse is a temporary pavilion that provides much-needed shade during the summer months. As summers in New England get warmer due to climate change, there will be longer and more frequent heat waves. The Resilient Cambridge Plan recommends the use of shade pavilions in public spaces, particularly in neighborhoods with fewer shade trees, to reduce the effects of extreme heat, enhance outdoor comfort, and create joyful community places. CloudHouse offers ample seating and an open form that invites people to socialize, rest, and enjoy a favorite neighborhood park!

Design and Construction:

The pavilion is constructed using a technique that creates structural surfaces by bending low-cost flat material. The material used is a recyclable UV-treated plastic. Its translucency provides shade while letting ambient light through.

The entire structure is composed of only three different parts that shape the roof, walls, individual seats, and communal benches. Each plastic sheet is used in its entirety; no part of it is removed and thrown out. Instead, they are simply bent to shape, resulting in no off-cuts and no waste. The pavilion is constructed in modules so that they can be reconfigured based on specific park needs.