‘Rain Rhythms in the Round’ is a pavilion designed for temporary events and festivals.

The structure is designed specifically to shelter festival attendees from the rain, whilst celebrating the qualities of water. The water management system is turned into a performative, beautiful process which adds to its setting rather than detracts from it.

Weather patterns in the UK are becoming increasingly wetter as a consequence of our changing climate and global heating. Outdoor events and festivals need to provide spaces for attendees to shelter during adverse weather conditions, whilst providing spaces to sit, socialise and observe. Conversely, the rain pavilion can also provide much needed shade during hot, dry weather, which is another issue for festival organisers who need to provide enough open-air sheltered and ventilated spaces.

‘Rain Rhythms in the Round’ acts as either a communal umbrella or a sun parasol when required. The principles of the design are simple: A circular stage sits at the heart of the pavilion, surrounded by tiered seating which radiates in all directions, much like an amphitheatre. A concertinaed roof sails above, built from a series of radial folded modules. Attendees and performers below are kept dry, whilst the roof shape directs rain along the folded valleys and down an array of corresponding ‘rain chains’. These are located at the spout of each roof module, leading into a circular water pool. This pool circumnavigates the stage, providing an informal separation between the performer and audience spaces.

Rain running over the translucent roof planes throws caustic light shadows over the seating areas below. Rain dances down the rain chains to be captured in the pool for controlled removal without flooding the surrounding environment. In the meantime, water resting in the pool provides a beautiful mirrored reflecting pool as observed from the seating areas. This water can also act as a natural cooling device if the sun then re-emerges. Ramps provide a fully accessible environment for all areas within the pavilion.