Buckled Light: a Folded Pavilion System

This pavilion explores folding as both structure and expression, using a simple buckle system to transform flat elements into a spatially rich canopy. It responds to the problem of public shade structures that rely on heavy materials and conventional forms, often reading as rigid tents made of concrete and shingles. By proposing an alternative driven entirely by geometry. Held together solely by its folds, the pavilion requires no additional framing or binding materials, while interstitial gaps filter sunlight into a lightweight, dynamic public space.

1. LS-2440 Co2 Laser Cutter and Engraver
2. Hot Glue
3. Museum Board
4. 1/16 Chip Board
5. Pencil
6. Ruler
7. Computer

This was used as our reference as it incorporated the idea of folding and how although this acts as a canopy and shelter, when folded down it could be used as a sitting area in social settings. Such as an open park where people can talk with their friends or even meet others.

In the initial iteration, the pavilion was made by laser cutting one large flat sheet, mirroring it to create two walls, and inserting a separate roof element wedged between them. While this approach established basic enclosure and shade, it relied on multiple parts and did not incorporate folding as a structural or spatial strategy. As a result, the form felt inefficient and visually rigid, lacking both aesthetic interest and conceptual alignment with the project’s goals.

In the second model, I introduced a buckle system that allowed the pavilion to begin folding into a more dynamic form. However, because the structure was primarily supported by the roof, the side walls were pushed outward and lacked stability. To address this, bolt entry points were added so the walls could be anchored to the ground. Although the buckle system improved the overall aesthetic, the use of bolts conflicted with the project’s goal of being held together solely through folding, without external materials.

In the third model, just before the final model, an inner skeleton made from 1/8″ chipboard was introduced and fabricated using the laser cutter. The folded outer structure was designed to sit directly on top of this internal framework, transferring structural pressure away from the side walls. This allowed the loads to be carried by the hidden skeleton, which could be staked into the ground without visually disrupting the form. By concealing the support system, the pavilion preserved the purity of its architectural folding while achieving stability

1. I went on to AutoCAD and created a design that would then be put into our laser cutter. I had to make sure that it incorporated a buckle system, and I did this by adding gaps in between each leg of the roof, which would interlock with the opposite.
2. I mirrored the model from step one so that I would have two symmetrical sides. This allowed the roof to interlock with each other, creating a buckle system and making two separate walls—each with half a roof—into one large structure with a solid roof that emits beams of light and walls that were very sturdy and did not fold under the pressure of the roof.

I made minor adjustments to the skeleton that was made, as the dimensions were not fully compatible with the structure. I went back into AutoCAD to complete this step. The rectangular image on the left would be the roof of the skeleton. The blue lines are scored lines, while the red lines are cut lines. This was put into the laser cutter, and although it looked the same as the previous skeleton, the dimensions were slightly different. The image on the right just shows the wall of the skeleton, which was essential as it carried the weight from the roof down to the ground.

I put everything together, and by placing the structure on top of the skeleton, it created one solid structure that did not break down and was very stable.

The final model of the Luminous Fold Pavilion features a carefully designed skeleton on the inside, supporting an outer shell that interlocks seamlessly with the roof and walls. This combination of internal structure and exterior form demonstrates how folding can be applied in architecture to transform traditional design approaches. By using physical models alongside AutoCAD design software, we were able to experiment with proportions, interlocking systems, and light-emitting features, turning what might have been a conventional structure into a more creative and abstract form. The project illustrates how architectural folding techniques can take inspiration from familiar shapes and reimagine them, creating innovative designs that are both functional and visually striking.