WARSAW PAVILIONs
The Boulevard Pavilion in Warsaw was designed by RS Architektura Krajobrazu & Artchitecture as a part of a greater revitalization project along the banks of the Vistula River. Originally, a series of eight modular buildings that could be disassembled and moved when the river flooded was proposed for the site. However, when that proposal was found to be non-viable, an amphibious pavilion was constructed instead.
The building is made from steel framed modules, each 2.5m by 7m. The base of each module is a 0.7m deep steel pontoon, which provides flotation. These pontoons sit on the ground rather than being recessed into it, so occupants have to come up ramps or stairs to enter the pavilion. When the site floods, the utilities are disconnected and the building floats, guided by four nine meter tall vertical posts. In the case of a higher flood, the modular building could also be disassembled and moved to a new location.
Warsaw has not had a flood since construction was finished in 2018, and so the performance of this building in flood conditions have not yet been tested. However, they have been successful in their goal of revitalizing the waterfront, and is popular amongst the public.
Other flood resilient construction has also occurred in the area as a part of Warsaw’s effort to design for the Vistula’s flooding, including a floating pier and an elevated beach pavilion.
