# MOS Architects unveils experimental aluminum pavilion at Art Omi Basket-inspired structure blends pre-modern craft with futuristic design - **Source:** [Architecture news and projects | Dezeen](https://brifing.si/source/50c21201-9cc6-48e0-8a7c-6ea605af10c3) - **Published:** 2026-09-21 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4c8ffffd-9bf2-4ad5-9d1d-4d80f5005afb ## Basket-inspired aluminum structure MOS Architects designed an egg-shaped pavilion at Art Omi using overlapping aluminum shingles held by stainless steel bolts, creating a quarter-inch thick shell. The structure draws inspiration from pre-modern basketry techniques while incorporating mid-century futurism elements. Sitting on stilts, the pavilion resembles a crinoline dress in form. Two side portholes and an open top connect the interior with the surrounding landscape, blending shelter with artistic expression in the rural New York setting. ## Prefabricated construction approach The pavilion was designed for quick assembly using standard tools within days, continuing MOS Architects' exploration of prefabricated aluminum structures. Co-founder Michael Meredith describes their approach as treating folded aluminum like paper, creating large-scale models. This methodology allows for experimental architecture at smaller scales, contrasting with conventional commercial construction. The design maintains structural integrity while enabling modifications similar to traditional basket weaving techniques. ## Dual historical references The design simultaneously references pre-modern woven architecture and mid-century Airstream trailers, creating a hybrid aesthetic. Meredith notes the economic material use characteristic of woven structures, achieving lightness with aluminum. The pavilion's nomadic quality reflects both historical building traditions and mobile architecture concepts. These references position the project within architectural discourse while maintaining a playful, experimental character distinct from typical commercial commissions. ## Functional art installation Beyond its conceptual framework, the pavilion provides practical shelter and seating within Art Omi's rotating exhibition fields. Triangular cutouts offer access points resembling tent openings, while strategically placed oculi create framed views of the landscape. The structure contributes to Art Omi's mission of integrating architecture with environmental art, serving both aesthetic and utilitarian purposes in the expansive outdoor setting. ## Anthropomorphic design elements The pavilion's form evokes facial features when viewed from certain angles, drawing comparisons to the Iron Giant's head from the 1999 film. Meredith describes the design as a Buckminster Fuller dome reinterpreted through artist Philip Guston's sensibility, resulting in what he acknowledges as a slightly ridiculous appearance. These anthropomorphic qualities add whimsy while demonstrating how structural modifications can create expressive architectural forms. ## Response to architectural trends The project represents MOS Architects' critique of contemporary architecture's commercial focus, offering an alternative through small-scale experimentation. Developed during what Meredith calls architecture's 'weird moment,' the pavilion reclaims space for cultural expression outside market pressures. It aligns with the studio's 'Smaller Architecture' philosophy, advocating for more intimate, conceptual work in contrast to prevailing trends favoring monumentality. ## Art Omi's architectural programming The pavilion forms part of Art Omi's expanded architecture initiatives, which include 18 new structures by established studios like SO-IL. This installation follows TAELON7's Limbo Engawa pavilion in the fall program, demonstrating the arts center's commitment to experimental architecture. By commissioning temporary structures, Art Omi creates a platform for architectural innovation distinct from permanent urban developments, fostering creative risk-taking. ## Material innovation significance MOS Architects' aluminum shingle system demonstrates how industrial materials can achieve textile-like flexibility in architecture. The quarter-inch thick shell challenges conventional material expectations while maintaining structural integrity. This approach opens possibilities for lightweight, adaptable structures that reference craft traditions through contemporary fabrication methods. The project exemplifies how material experimentation at small scales can inform broader architectural practice. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/09/21/mos-art-omi-aluminium-pavilion/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._