view of the pavilion with the museum at the back
image © NaNa

commissioned for the prestigious luxury jewellery brand for abu dhabi art 2012, the 'bulgari pavilion' is conceived as a temporary installation by not a number architects - an exclusive and private venue with live music, a bar and a curated selection of the company's high end jewellery.

the design of the pavilion aims to be both reminiscent of bulgari's italian heritage, being representative of its own fabrication and structure. a self supporting entity is implemented without the need for a separate internal structure; therefore the form is not merely a decorative veil. acrylic tubes are used in different set lengths and diameters although they are rarely used as principal architectural elements - 2272 tubes with approximately 10,000 individual connections to be exact. by packing them close together not only do they begin to form mass, but also provide structural rigidity. much like a rough gemstone, the concept was sliced and cut, then smoothed and polished to contrast within the environmental conditions.

view from outside the pavilion
image © NaNa

bulgari lounge and pavillion

seating under the translucent vaults
image © NaNa

light coming through the vault
image © NaNa

vault becoming column
image © NaNa

reflections of the canopy on the seating elements
image © NaNa

details of the structure
image © NaNa

night view
image © sofia dadourian

artificial light embedded in the structure
image © sofia dadourian

the pavilion space during the art fair
image © sofia dadourian

snapshots of construction process
image © NaNa

design and assembly concept
image © NaNa

project information:

client: bulgari SpA

location: abu dhabi art 2012, saadiyat al manarat, saadiyat cultural district, abu dhabi, UAE

project period: june 2012 - november 2012

architects: not a number architects (NaNA)

structural engineers: 
structure workshop 

lighting consultants: 
artisan (united visual artists)