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Strand Aldwych near Somerset House and the Indian High Commission, London, United Kingdom
About this story
Studio Saar and structural engineer Atelier One created a bamboo gridshell pavilion assembled by artisans in India and clad with two contrasting shield types: heavy bamboo police lathi shields and woven knups traditionally used by farmers in northeast India for protection from rain. Node Company helped develop connectors capable of accommodating bamboo's natural variation. Named for the armored pangolin, the work uses shelter, craft and structural lightness to discuss colonial legacy, coercive authority, ecological exploitation and reconciliation.
Status and timeline
Installed for London Design Festival, September 12–20, 2026; currently open.
Design highlights
Bamboo gridshell; adaptable structural connectors for non-uniform natural material; craft combined with computational and engineering techniques; protective and aggressive meanings of shields; pangolin-inspired enclosure; light, shade and wind as design components.
Important dates
· Final public viewing · Details
