LBC Partners
Back to 2009 Gallery | Back
The Worm Bar
The Worm Bar integrates worm farm, salad bar, and educational gallery into a pavilion for the Singapore Architectural Biennale.
Highlighting the processing of our waste through the activity of humble earthworms, the pavilion aims to increase the awareness of our consumption patterns, and provoke discussion on alternative methods of waste management.
An existing scaffolding system was adapted for use as the main structural system for the pavilion. Walls, partitions, internal surfaces, and components such as staircases and railings are all formed using existing components from the system. The outer facade screen is constructed from traditional bamboo scaffolds. The pavilion is a temporary structure that would only occupy the space for several months during the span of the biennale. As more than 90% of the components in the pavilion are existing scaffold components, connected using typical joints of the system, most of the pavilion, with the exception of the planter cones and metal sheet roofing, can be easily disassembled and transported away for use in other projects.
By employing an existing scaffolding system that is readily available for use, the building can be constructed mainly out of pre-used components that can be sourced locally, reducing the carbon footprint of the materials used. These same components can then be easily disassembled and reused for other projects or to relocate the pavilion, reducing the amount of waste material generated when the pavilion is removed several months later. The use of scaffolding also allows the pavilion to sit lightly on the site, with the floor of the pavilion raised above ground level. In terms of resource use, rainwater is harvested from the roof surface to irrigate the planting on-site and provide water for cleaning and maintenance. With the high average annual rainfall in Singapore, the amount of water collected is estimated to be sufficient to supply all non-potable needs.
