Forest Pavillion
The 8 m × 10 m square box is raised over three floors to reach a viewing deck on the top floor. The simple structural frame is extended at the top to create the decks. Below the deck are offices with large glass windows to the east and north, which avoid glare through an added layer of wooden trellis.
A view deck to the forest is a reminder to a vanishing landscape around Bengaluru. Its architecture is light and transparent with materials that help keep the building friendly to the forest. Like a tree, it has a sturdy base and a linear form ending at the top with an extended canopy.
A light filigree like structure sits at the edge of the forest. Its steel structure framework is complemented by wooden trellises, railings, flooring and ceiling.
The monochromatic wood of the exterior keeps the look and feel simple. This gives it a trace of the forest lodge. The need to have a small footprint, and to have the view deck above the tree foliage makes this a tall structure. The balance between transparency and form is a matter of compositon and detail. It’s a light and sustainable piece of architecture. Its presence remains restrained and warm, helping it blend into the landscape.
