The NAWA pavilion, designed by Oskar Zięta, is an ultra light construction made with FiDU, a technology that inflates steel elements with compressed air.

FiDU is a technology invented by Zięta. It allows to distort the 2D shapes of steel elements welded together, turning them into 3D profiles by inflating them with compressed air. The metal forms become durable and stable, while remaining relatively light. The technique requires just one thousandth of the pressure needed for internal high-pressure forming.

Earlier, Zięta used the technique to create a stool. NAWA is the first FiDU construction on such a large scale. The construction is based on arches, serving “both as the elements of construction and artistic ways of expression.” The pavilion consists of 52 tonnes of polished steel, divided over 35 arches.

A major source of inspiration for Zięta is bionics, a branch of science that aims to invent technical solutions mimicking the behaviour of living organisms. The search of form let Zięta to the construction of bionic arches linked together. The form of the sculpture relates both to the natural surroundings and neighbouring buildings.

The sculpture is erected on Daliowa island in the city of Wrocław, Poland. It was awarded the most innovative Polish architectural project of 2017 by Architektura-Murator magazine.

Photos: Zieta Prozessdesign Studio