Architecture studio New South has created the Muqarnas Pavilion in Saint-Étienne, France, drawing inspiration from sacred Islamic architecture. The semi-dome structure is composed of interlocking ceramic and concrete pieces, resembling a precious stone revealed from the earth.
“We wanted the pavilion to feel like a precious stone revealed from the earth – something playful and magical, like a pomegranate split open to expose its hidden world,” said Meriem Chabani, co-founder of New South.
The pavilion references muqarnas, an ornamental motif commonly found in Islamic religious architecture, and combines digital modeling with traditional ceramics. The structure is made from deep blue ceramic tiles backed with concrete, stacked to form a self-supporting arch.
“The pavilion follows the logic of a catenary arch, an efficient form that naturally distributes weight while offering both enclosure and openness,” explained Chabani. The tiles are designed to function as bricks, interlocking like Lego and reinforced with steel rebar and cellular concrete.
– Location: Explora Park, Saint-Étienne, France
– Architect: New South
– Engineer: Radhi Ben Hadid
– Production: Gorbon Ceramics
– Commissioners: Ecole nationale supérieure d’architecture de Saint-Etienne and CIVA
Image Courtesy: Dezeen
