The Paradox of Ephemeral Architecture

Zoeanna Upadhyay

Historically, architecture has always been designed for permanence. Western culture in particular entertained the idea of ‘immortality’ through their architecture- the monumentality of buildings like the Pantheon in Greece and the Colosseum in Rome suggest a tendency to build buildings that were ‘eternal’; or that derived their greatness from permanence. In the modern age, rapid technological advancement quickly renders buildings obsolete- and that which is no longer useful is discarded or replaced. The culture of capitalism creates a constant need for consumption and disposal, a notion that is not sustainable in the long run. On the flip side, architecture that is designed for permanence often falls into disuse and has excessive demands for maintenance and repair. Olympic complexes like the Athens Olympic Complex of 2004 for example, was used during the games and has since been for the most part, neglected. Ephemeral architecture was an attempt at a solution to both these problems, referring to architecture meant to mediate between relevance and sustainability; as well as permanence and obsolescence (Armada, 2012). Another advantage to developing architecture that wasn't meant to last is that it could be experimental in nature, exploring new concepts, materials and methods of construction. In cases where these ideas were successful; they became culturally important to the identity of the place and were made permanent. The Eiffel tower, the Atomium in Brussels, the Space d Needle in Seattle and the Geodesic dome and Habitat in Montreal are all examples of such structures (Petrova, 2017). The exhibition of pavilions like the Serpentine Pavilions in the twenty-first century also allowed architects to research and develop new techniques and ideas. In Eastern culture, architecture was designed to be more embracing of the impermanence of the natural world (Armada, 2012). It’s preservation is achieved through cycles of rebirth as opposed to the Physical permanence of the west. The use of materials like timber in construction as opposed to masonry of the west is a nod to the natural process of death and decay.

The Ise Shrine in Japan is an example of how the process of rebirth was incorporated into ephemeral architecture. The Shrine, first built during the seventh century, is a structure that is demolished every twenty years, and rebuilt in a plot exactly next to the first one.

The Ise Shrine in Japan. Source- Syracuse University Honors Program Capstone Projects. https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/111

The structure itself is temporary, but its reconstruction is an example of how ephemerality and permanence co-exist. Rebuilding the shrine protects it against the eroding effects of time while also keeping Japanese artisan skills and culture alive, transmitting it to the next generation. Here, permanence is attributed to the process rather than the finished output-just as in the design of the shrine, importance is given to the journey of reaching it rather than the shrine itself. References 1. Petrova, M. (2017), Design for ephemerality idiosyncrasy and challenges. New Trends and Issues Proceedingson Humanities and Social Sciences.[Online]. 4(11), 259-272. Retrieved from: www.prosoc.eu (Links to an external site.). 2. Marcello, F., (2020), ' Ephemerality 1,2,3', Learning Material on Canvas, Swinburne University of Technology, 4th of May 2021. 3. Armada, J.(2012), Sustainable Ephemeral: Temporary Spaces with Lasting Impact, Syracuse University Honors Program Capstone Projects. https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/111