Archetech Issue 55 2021 | Page 69

SDS LIMITED
Photo : Iwan Baan

SDS SUPPORTS 2021 SERPENTINE PAVILION

SDS IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE ITS RETURN AS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2021 PRESTIGIOUS SERPENTINE PAVILION ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT IN LONDON ’ S KENSINGTON GARDENS
From June 11 , visitors to the Royal Park will enjoy the spectacular temporary Pavilion constructed in front of the Serpentine Gallery without knowing that a sustainable SDS water infrastructure solution beneath their feet has helped to make it possible .
The annual architectural brief is to design a 300 m2 Pavilion used as a café and meeting space by day and a forum for learning , debate and entertainment at night . This year ’ s Serpentine Pavilion , the 20th to be built , is designed by the Johannesburg-based architectural studio , Counterspace , directed by Sumayya Vally , and is a coming together of abstract sculptural forms , designed to represent past and present places of meeting , organising and belonging across London . The forms in the Pavilion are a result of abstracting , superimposing and splicing architectural elements .
PRIORITISING SUSTAINABILITY Engineers from AECOM , returning for their eighth year of involvement with the project , were challenged with realising the technically complex design , and were determined to prioritise the sustainability of the temporary structure .
AECOM worked with SDS to provide the below-ground water infrastructure necessary to capture rainwater runoff from the building ’ s near-circular roof structure , which has a radius of some 10.5 metres . At more than six metres high , the structure is one of the tallest Pavilions in recent years , from a 350m2 footprint also one of the largest .
During heavy rain , surface water running off the Pavilion will be collected in underground attenuation built with SDS GEOlight ®
modular storage . Considering the clay ground conditions , it was necessary to design a central attenuation tank to capture rainwater and take it away from the Pavilion foundations , allowing it to infiltrate slowly into the park ’ s existing soakaway system .
NET CARBON OUTCOME A range of reused and repurposed materials have been used in the Serpentine Pavilion 2021 . Being made entirely from recycled postconsumer PVC waste , normally destined for landfill , SDS GEOlight ® could help minimise the Pavilion ’ s overall carbon footprint .
SDS Sales and Marketing Director Richard Averley said : “ It is a true honour to be once again invited to contribute to this internationally-renowned architectural project . We were also really pleased to have been able to make a difference to the project ’ s impressive environmental credentials .
“ There has never been a more important time to celebrate the coming together of communities – a key theme of this year ’ s project . So , we wish everyone visiting the Pavilion , whether they are enjoying a family day out , or taking part in the cultural events , a truly memorable experience . It is nice to know , that even when it rains , the surface water will be quietly and efficiently taken away .”
SDS were first involved in the Serpentine Pavilion project in 2019 , when the spectacular tree-like design featured a central cascade of rainwater which was conveyed to a GEOlight ® storage tank beneath .
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