Ephemeral architecture is the art or technique of designing and building temporary structures that only exist for a short time. Ephemeral art is a constant in the history of architecture, although a distinction must be made between buildings designed for temporary use and those that are intended to be permanent but have a short useful life due to various factors, including particularly poor quality have the materials. Materials (wood, clay, plaster, cardboard, textiles) in cultures that would not have adequately developed solid building systems. Ephemeral architecture was often used for celebrations and festivals of all kinds, as stage sets or theater decorations for a specific event. The event was dismantled after the event. It has existed since ancient art – the origin of forms such as the triumphal arch, the ephemeral prototype of which was enshrined in permanent structures during the Roman Empire – and was widespread in European courts during the Renaissance and particularly the Baroque period. Despite its inconvenience, the ephemeral is a recurring and relevant architecture. From baroque scenographies to contemporary installations, each ephemeral era shaped its vision of celebration and made it a reality with the technology available at the time. The ephemeral still fulfills these playful and experimental functions today, but also strives to channel new ideas about public space and societal participation halfway between city and nature.
CHARACTERISTICS
.According to our expert Luca, the main characteristics of the ephemeral spaces are the following: –
- They are designed as temporary materials, so the materials are cheap and easy to remove.
- They wanted to be flashy and beautiful.
- They embody innovation.
- Its temporary nature allows the designer to be bold and take risks.
- Has the potential to gain cultural relevance and popularity. When this happens, they cease to be impermanent and become permanent.
ORIGIN
From the early days of short-lived design, these buildings were built to host celebrations and special events. That is why these rooms are full of symbolism and have such an impressive visual impact. This type of design started with the Egyptians. In Deipnosophistae, an early third-century Greek work by Athenaeus, the author describes a fleeting pavilion erected by Ptolemy Philadelphus (the pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt from 283 to 246 BC) for a spectacular banquet. Later, in ancient Rome, a similar tradition was continued, using short-lived structures to organize public ceremonies and celebrations of military victories. That is why triumphal arches were erected to commemorate each victory. During the Middle Ages, the tradition of erecting arches was continued, but only to greet monarchs visiting major European cities.
Ephemeral design’s first surge in popularity
During the Renaissance, ephemeral architecture enjoyed a kind of golden age. Each time the kings visited new cities, these goals changed completely. At that time it was customary to build very high facades of wood, plaster, brick, and mud, covered with sculptures and flowers. The aim was to give the city a colorful and rich appearance. To achieve this, brocades and other luxurious and colorful fabrics were hung on the facades of the buildings. Over time, these ephemeral creations became associated less with military ceremonies and more with religious events, particularly during the Baroque period. At the time, these arches celebrated not only the arrival of kings, but also the proclamation of new rulers, the marriages of monarchs, and the births of princes. The dedications of temples and chapels and other religious ceremonies were also celebrated in this way. Due to the temporary nature and fleeting duration of these structures, inexpensive materials were used in their construction. The materials and facades that adorned these traditional buildings caused great enthusiasm in the cities. Site managers were often prominent architects who held respectable roles in court. One of the most famous architects was Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who was also a sculptor, painter, and set designer. These projects were not limited to public space. Sometimes a great architect is hired to remodel a banquet hall for just one night. They were commissioned to create centerpieces featuring sculptures, palm trees, and flowers to transform everyday dining into a spectacle that would impress guests. The first decade of the 20th century saw a short-lived resurgence in design as industrialization, the rise of the bourgeoisie, and scientific and technological advances once again created the perfect climate. Improvements in communication, the proliferation of newspapers and magazines, the invention of photography and later the invention of cinema made it possible for the first time to spread information about such projects beyond their hometowns. The pretext for building these projects was no longer limited to receiving a monarch or celebrating a religious festival, but to publicizing the city and promoting it as a shopping center.
Second peak
From the 18th century onward, the World’s Fairs were considered great public showcases for advances in industry, commerce, and the arts, and provided architects and engineers with a perfect opportunity to express themselves. These exhibitions led to the creation of some of the most iconic and symbolic ephemeral spaces in the world, such as the Crystal Palace. Designed by architect Joseph Paxton as a temporary structure for the 1851 World’s Fair, the building became a symbol of the architecture of the Industrial Revolution because of its innovative use of materials and unusual uses. The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World’s Fair. As with any ephemeral structure, the intention was on the one hand to impress the visitors and on the other hand to dismantle it after the event. Due to the great admiration for the design, it was saved from being shot down. However, many critics wanted it removed because the materials used and the shape were too scandalous. Today, the art of ephemeral design is also applied to small spaces.
Modern Day design
Ephemeral designers mainly apply their ideas to:-
- Showcase.
- landscape.
- sensory experiences.
- Artistic or commercial installations.
When it comes to work, designers know that their ephemeral works must meet certain requirements, such as:-
- Understanding a customer’s needs.
- Communicate your values.
- Telling a story.
- touching emotions.
REFERENCES
- Online sources
Tempone, D. (2021) What is ephemeral architecture and what purpose does it serve?: Blog, Domestika. Available at: https://www.domestika.org/en/blog/8872-what-is-ephemeral-architecture-and-what-purpose-does-it-serve (Accessed: 25 August 2023).
Gallery of 16 ephemeral installations designed by Mexican architects – 8 (no date) ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/916225/16-ephemeral-installations-designed-by-mexican-architects/5cc74407284dd1345d00023d-16-ephemeral-installations-designed-by-mexican-architects-photo?next_project=no (Accessed: 25 August 2023).
Ephemeral architecture (2023) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephemeral_architecture#:~:text=Ephemeral%20art%20has%20been%20a,the%20materials%20(wood%2C%20adobe%2C (Accessed: 25 August 2023).
