Philips Pavilion
After the Philips Pavilion was dismantled following the 1958 World Expo, the desire to rebuild this iconic structure in Eindhoven has never faded. For decades, various efforts have been made to realize this dream, but without success. Reconstructing the Philips Pavilion has proven to be a complex task, with significant technical and financial challenges. However, our feasibility study with CyBe Construction suggests that innovative 3D concrete printing can realize the long-cherished dream of rebuilding this seminal concrete shell pavilion.
The Expo 58 Philips Pavilion
Since the first World Expo in 1851, these international exhibitions have led to the creation of many iconic structures. Famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Space Needle in Seattle, and the Atomium in Brussels owe their existence to the World Expos. Unfortunately, one building that didn’t last beyond the Expo it was built for, is the Philips Pavilion.
The Philips Pavilion was the Dutch pride at the Expo 58 in Brussels. The pavilion was built to showcase the state-of-the-art of Philips’ light and sound technology, celebrating post-war technological progress through a multimedia spectacle. Its project manager, Iannis Xenakis, was an architect, musical composer, with a strong knowledge of mathematics, and used those elements to inform and inspire the design. Inside, music and sound projection combined with lighting and the pavilion’s cavernous acoustics and space allowed for a unique experience for audiences.
It reached 20 meters in height, spanned 17 meters, and was constructed from nine hyperbolic paraboloid surfaces (hypars) with a total area of 560 m². The structure, resting on a concrete foundation with timber piles, consisted of more than two thousand 50 mm thin concrete panels, that were prefabricated on an earthen formwork and placed on wooden scaffolding in a framework of 400 mm diameter, prestressed concrete columns. The entire system was then prestressed with 7 mm external cables, and finished with sprayed concrete on the interior. The engineering was carried out at the time by TH Delft and TNO, using scale models and Moiré stress patterns.
Its method of construction was cutting edge and feasible due to low labor costs at the time, making it especially unfortunate that the Philips Pavilion was ultimately demolished on January 30th, 1959.
Dreams of rebuilding
Currently, the Atomium is the only structure from the 1958 Expo still standing. The dream of rebuilding the Philips Pavilion, however, has long been alive, with numerous plans to bring the pavilion back to Eindhoven in the past. Various attempts from Eindhoven’s business community, Eindhoven University of Technology, and local government show that the desire for a rebuilt Philips Pavilion has always been strong and widely supported. Stichting ALICE worked towards the reconstruction of the building, and Stichting Renovatie Philips Paviljoen was established specifically for the goal of bringing the pavilion back to Eindhoven. This latter foundation even conducted a feasibility study for the building’s reconstruction, commissioned by the municipality of Eindhoven.
Yet, despite many efforts, the dream of bringing back the Philips Pavilion has not been realized. The failed plans are primarily due to today’s high labor costs in the construction sector. However, an innovative construction method offers new hope for the structure. Through 3D concrete printing, a cutting-edge construction technique, the long-awaited reconstruction of the Philips Pavilion could be realized, this time on the grounds of innovative urban Eindhoven district Strijp-S.
Digital fabrication
The idea of 3D printing the Philips Pavilion first emerged in 2019 from Stam + De Koning and Park Strijp Beheer (area developer of Strijp-S, a collaboration between the municipality of Eindhoven and VolkerWessels). This coalition wanted to use the technique as a solution for the current inflated labor costs through digital fabrication and computational design. 3D concrete printing was suggested because of how it can reduce labor hours and speed up production. It also allows for more effective use of material, while eliminating the need for complex molds. With the benefits of faster, cheaper, and more efficient construction, advanced 3D printing technology is an excellent option for rebuilding the Philips Pavilion. As a high-tech construction method, 3D printing aligns perfectly with Eindhoven, a city known for knowledge, technology, and design.
For the 2019 project, Stam + De Koning enlisted a trailblazer in the 3D concrete printing industry: CyBe Construction. This Dutch company had been developing 3D concrete printing hardware, software, and materials from as early as 2013, and has since grown to a worldwide market leader in 3D concrete printing technology.
The ambitious project also required thorough research, for which Summum Engineering was involved. After investigating the original structure through archival documents and publications, it was found that it would no longer meet current standards. For instance, the wind loads were much lower than would have to applied today. Several options for the structural system were explored, and analyzed for feasibility.
Despite some adjustments, the design of the 3D printed, reconstructed Philips Pavilion can remain true to the initial architectural design by Iannis Xenakis and Le Corbusier, with significantly lower costs than that of earlier plans to rebuild the structure. With this study, it was shown that with proper structural analysis and efficient application of 3D concrete printing, virtually any design can be realized.
Outlook
Unfortunately, the reimagined pavilion has been on hold since 2019 due to a lack of funding and a feasible exploitation plan.
However, the plans are ready, and the feasibility study has shown that the technique offers the possibility to rebuild the structure significantly cheaper than previous plans without 3D concrete printing. Additionally, the spatial constraints at the time of the adjacent Chinese Pavilion are easily resolved, as visualizations show that both pavilions can easily stand next to each other. Now that 3D concrete printing is used worldwide to build cheaper, faster, and more sustainably, the reconstruction of the Philips Pavilion can also benefit from these advancements in de past five years. The advantages of 3D concrete printing are significant: it reduces the required manpower, lowers costs and construction time, and provides an efficient construction solution.
With this technique, the Philips Pavilion can not only return to its original glory but also serve as a modern symbol of innovation and heritage. The challenge now lies in finding commercial potential for the reopened Philips Pavilion. CyBe Construction and Summum Engineering propose to set it up as a national museum for innovative architecture and construction, and a hub for related technology start-ups.
Team
End client
Park Strijp Beheer | Thijs van Dieren
Contractor
Stam + De Koning | Joost de Meijer, Niek Rooijackers, Stijn van Schaijk (general contractor)
Cybe Construction | Berry Hendriks, Rob van der Zwaluw, Jordy van Beek (3D concrete printing)
Client
Cybe Construction
Engineering
Diederik Veenendaal | Summum Engineering
Original team 1958
End client
Philips Gloeilampenfabriek | Louis Kalff
Architect
Le Corbusier, Iannis Xenakis
Contractor
Strabed | H.C. Duyster
Engineering
Eiffel | Gustave Eiffel, Lorin, Vallée (first phase)
Techische Hogeschool (TH) Delft | prof. C.G.J. Vreedenburgh, Frans K. Ligtenberg
TNO, Stevin Laboratory | Adolf L. Bouma
Controlebureau Séco | R. Vastrade (proofing engineer)