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Village Green Soapbox

Cassion Castle Architects, Fleet Architects, Southend, 2009

 

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The stage can be easily erected and dismantled by a team of six 

Keith Collie     Download Original

  • The stage can be easily erected and dismantled by a team of six    
  • The stage can be easily erected and dismantled by a team of six    
  • Residents in Southend being treated to a performance on the stage    
  • Residents in Southend being treated to a performance on the stage    
  • The stage comprises two sections: a performance area and a backstage space    
  • The stage comprises two sections: a performance area and a backstage space    
  • The stage comprises two sections: a performance area and a backstage space    
  • Stage floor plan    
  • Side elevation    
  • Side elevation    
  • Front elevation    
  • Rear elevation    
  • Long section    

Demountable polycarbonate/timber pavilion commissioned for Southend's annual Village Green Festival, the pavilion was manufactured and built over six weeks

Commissioned as the centrepiece of the festival for the next four years, the Soapbox is constructed of sustainably sourced soft timber and polycarbonate and designed as an anti-tent. It is completely demountable and is designed to be erected and demounted quickly by a team of six people using hand tools.

The design uses polycarbonate as a structural element as opposed to elevation cladding. This gives the structure greater simplicity with all the timber components providing vertical and horizontal beams and all diagonal bracing taken by the polycarbonate.

The translucent polycarbonate elevations filter light into the stage in the day. At night the façades become illuminated by a pulsing sequence of coloured stage lights, giving the Soapbox a more exuberant glowing presence akin to a chinese lantern.

Data

  • Begun: Aug 2009
  • Completed: 2009
  • Floor area: 100m2
  • Sector: Arts and culture
  • Total cost: £40,000
  • Funding: Arts Council
  • Procurement: Minor works contract
  • Address: Southend Soapbox, Southend, United Kingdom

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