Architectural Cases

A Fusion of Fungi and Fellowship: OMA's Innovative Pavilion

Architectural Vision: A Sanctuary for Cultivation and Community

The latest addition to the expansive grounds of Fundación Casa Wabi, the Mushroom Pavilion, stands as a testament to OMA's innovative design philosophy. This structure, dedicated to the art of mushroom cultivation, enriches the foundation's mission which harmonizes artistic creation, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. Conceived by artist Bosco Sodi, the foundation provides a unique canvas for such a multifaceted project.

The Dual Purpose of Design: Agriculture Meets Social Space

More than just a facility for growing mushrooms, the concrete edifice is envisioned as a communal gathering spot. Its strategic location within Casa Wabi's 65-acre property underscores its role as both an agricultural outpost and a welcoming venue for visitors and resident artists alike. Shohei Shigematsu, lead architect and OMA partner, emphasizes the pavilion's capacity to cultivate both food and social connections.

Elliptical Interiors: A Masterclass in Functional Aesthetics

The pavilion's simple, ellipsoidal form is meticulously designed to optimize the process of mushroom cultivation. Its domed interior is intelligently segmented into three distinct chambers for fruiting, incubation, and storage, all encircling a central area designated for social interaction. This layout ensures operational efficiency while maintaining an inviting atmosphere.

Terraced Cultivation: An Interactive Display of Growth

The structure's lower section elegantly tapers inwards, forming a circular amphitheater. These stepped terraces serve a dual purpose: they function as shelving for the handmade terracotta pots essential to the cultivation process. These vessels, crafted by local artisans, create a continuous, visually engaging display of the growing fungi, offering a panoramic view of the cultivation cycle.

Harmony with Nature: Light, Air, and Coastal Vistas

An oculus at the roof's apex bathes the curved interior in natural light, creating an ever-changing interplay of shadows and illumination throughout the day. Smaller openings at the base facilitate crucial cross-ventilation, ensuring optimal conditions for mushroom growth while maintaining a comfortable internal climate. An elevated platform and portal provide breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, transitioning visitors from the intimate world of cultivation to the vast expanse of the coastal horizon.

A Concrete Canvas: Textures and Transformation

The pavilion's shell, fashioned from poured-in-place concrete, subtly curves inwards at its base, minimizing its environmental footprint and allowing the indigenous vegetation, including a native guayacan tree, to flourish. The exterior surface bears the unique imprint of burlap, which, combined with the site's iron-rich water, will gradually stain and transform the building's appearance, allowing it to age gracefully with its coastal surroundings.

The Hayward Gallery in London proudly presents two compelling exhibitions, 'Chiharu Shiota: Threads of Life' and 'Yin Xiuzhen: Heart to Heart,' running simultaneously until May 3rd, 2026. These exhibitions delve into the profound capabilities of textiles and reclaimed materials to narrate stories of remembrance, selfhood, and our collective human journey. These presentations are a key part of the Southbank Centre’s 75th-anniversary program, showcasing the institution’s dedication to engaging, site-specific art that complements the gallery’s distinctive brutalist design.

Yung Ma, the Senior Curator at Hayward Gallery, meticulously crafted these parallel showcases to highlight the artists’ individual styles while also revealing their shared artistic sensibilities. Chiharu Shiota, a Japanese artist based in Berlin, commands the upper levels of the gallery with her inaugural major solo exhibition in a London public space. Shiota is celebrated for her vast installations of intricate wool threads that encapsulate ordinary items, forming powerful visual metaphors for human connection, loss, and the ephemeral nature of existence. Similarly, Yin Xiuzhen, a prominent figure in contemporary Chinese art, takes over the gallery’s lower level with her first major UK survey. Her work, spanning over three decades, often incorporates commonplace objects and industrial elements, including discarded clothing, to delve into how personal and collective memories are embedded within the material world. Both artists transcend the ordinary, transforming everyday objects into evocative and deeply personal artistic statements.

These exhibitions are not merely displays of art; they are invitations to participate in a dialogue about human experiences and the power of connection. Shiota's intricate thread networks visualize the unseen bonds that link us, while Xiuzhen's assemblies of used garments literally weave together diverse personal histories into a collective narrative. As Ralph Rugoff, Director of the Hayward Gallery, observes, these shows continue the gallery's tradition of featuring installations that dynamically engage with its architectural environment. Through their distinct yet complementary approaches, both artists successfully elevate humble materials into profound artistic statements, encouraging visitors to reflect on the intricate interplay between individual lives and broader societal structures.