An installation designed and built as a group project in the final year of B.Sc. in The Built Environment (2014). 

 

Located outside the entrance of the Faculty for the Built Environment at The University of Malta, this installation provides students with a contemplation space on the hectic university campus.

 

This project could not have been realised without our acquisition of sponsors, namely Ballut Blocks Ltd. which provided the concrete and the casting equipment and Bitmac Ltd. which provided the polystyrene.

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The brief required that a contemplative space at the University of Malta is designed. 

Initial inspiration came from the pupa stage in the life cycle of some insects, where they transform whilst enclosed in a chrysalis or cocoon. This 'cocoon' provides the user with a personal space for introversion and contemplation.

Permanence and 'Timeless' architecture were also mentioned in the brief, and so the simple angular shape of one of the five  platonic solids, the cube, was used. The cube was used for the exterior design. Permanence also arose from the choice of material, with the cocoon forming the hollow space cast inside a concrete cube. 

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Contrasting between the minimal angular exterior, the ergonomic interior provides a space for introspection. The oculus was designed for the dual purpose of satisfying the comtemplative concept and also to eliminate any feelings of claustrophobia.

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The construction process consisted of four steps. 

The negative cocoon void in The Cube was sculpted using polystyrene. The cocoon was then fastened to the adequate formwork and the concrete was cast around it in two separate layers. The polystyrene was removed and the cocoon void was cleaned. Ultimately, The Cube was transported to the final location.

Step 1
Initially the negative space inside The Cube was created. This was done by sculpting polystyrene blocks into the desired cocoon form. A final coating of plaster of paris was applied to get a smooth finish and protect the polystyrene during the casting process.

Step 2
The polystyrene negative space was then transported to the Ballut Blocks Ltd. factory floor. The formwork for the first 1m*1m*1m layer was built, consisting of welded steel plates. The polystyrene cocoon was placed on a concrete stand, attached to the formwork, then a reinforcing cage was added and the first 1m layer of concrete was poured. After 48 hours of curing, the previous step was repeated to cast the final layer.

Step 4
The Cube was then transported to the University of Malta and placed on site. 

 

The final installation may be found outside the entrance of the Faculty for the Built Environment, University of Malta.