The Radiolaria pavilion
An urban temple project for the city hall of Pontedera (Pisa).
Radiolaria is an organic, open-cell design by Andrea Morgante, Shiro Studio, London. Commissioned by the city hall of Pontedera, Pisa, the fluid form temple presents an architectural prototype, for bespoke 3D printed masonry blocks, stacked forming a compressive structure. As an architectural proposal, the project adopts a transformed logic from ribbed stone vaulting, where thin elements rise up and span walls, creating a stable completed dome. The design encloses an open public space, creating a more social interpretation of temple architecture.