The LESS Pavilion | by Pezo von Ellrichshausen
November 16, 2022
the LESS pavilion
Part public artwork, part public space, with a deliberately undefined purpose.
On the quiet street of Dairy Road in one of Canberra's neighborhoods an imposing architectural pavilion has appeared. As you approach the LESS pavilion it might look like a random cluster of concrete chimneys, but as you get closer a simple yet precise pattern of 6 by 6 starts to appear. Designed by Pezo von Ellrichshausen, a Chilean design studio known for their dramatic, sculptural works, which offer imposing figures in both urban and natural landscapes, the structure of the LESS is no exception, deliberately simple, yet effective.
The monolithic structure was designed to be part public artwork, part public space, but other than that the purpose of the structure is deliberately undefined, inviting the visitors to use the space as they see fit. Populated with 6,000 individual plants of over 50 different plant species, the majority of these were part of the local ecosystem that once was, before the neighborhood was turned into an industrial zone. By reintroducing local plants LESS aims to turn the site into a botanical landscape that closely resembles its pre-colonial heritage, changing with every season, slowly becoming immersive.
Besides the biological and sociological impacts, Pezo von Ellrichshausen hopes that the LESS will encourage personal contemplation among its visitors. The sound of the wind blowing through the columns, a small continuous and shallow stream of water, pumped up through the core, before trickling down the outer surfaces of the columns, pooling, running and returning on loop; all this designed to encourage personal contemplation.
If you enjoy our content, why not sign up below to our newsletter to receive updates about new content, campaigns, and product releases.
