Portals to an Architecture: Design of a temporary structure with paper tube arches

Sustainable recyclable paper and composite materials can be ideal choices for the construction of temporary structures for both exhibition spaces or for rapid-recovery shelters in emergency operations. The unique engineering and sustainable features of these structures need to be considered as an integral part of the design process from the conceptual phase. Engineering studies to analyze these structures should be as important as the overall artistic and architectural vision. This paper examines the use of environmentally creep-formed paper tubes for the design, construction, and exhibition of, “Portals to an Architecture”, a large temporary outdoor sculpture.

► Innovative use of environmentally creep-formed paper tubes is explored through a case study.
► Paper tubes can be ideal for the construction of temporary structures.
► Engineering studies to analyze temporary structures should be as important as the artistic vision.