Bamboo building made from hundreds of pinwheels demonstrates the power of human energy

The 2016 Triumph Pavilion at the Museum Gardens in Bethnal Green, London has just been revealed. “Energy Pavilion” is a dynamic and interactive bamboo structure inspired by the pinwheel, the classic child’s toy.

Designed by Five Line Projects, the inspirational structure embodies this year’s theme of “energy” with row after row of delicate wooden windmills arranged along steel rods. When one of the wheels is moved, it triggers a chain reaction that ripples through the forest of pillars, representing the energy generated by individuals and the beneficial impact they can have on their community.

Constructed out of bamboo, stainless steel rods, timber, and polished aluminum, the self-supporting structure measures approximately 2.75 meters in height with an area of 62 square meters and a weight of 9 metric tons. The designers are the youngest practice to win the Triumph Pavilion Architecture and Design Award and be selected to create the year’s pavilion.

The Triumph Pavilion is an annual artistic and architectural showcase organized by ArchTriumph, spotlighting the work of a single architect or design team each summer. Teams from around the world submit their proposals based on a single, predefined theme. ArchTriumph’s competitions are open to individuals or teams of architects, designers, urban planners, landscape designers, and engineers who may collaborate to bring a project to completion.

This year’s winning design can be seen at the Museum Gardens in London, next to the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, and will be on display throughout June and July, 2016. The exhibition is part of the annual London Festival of Architecture.