Needs vs wants

Temporary architecture is essentially short-term structures or ideas that create experimental sites for public engagement. An example of this could be a stationary theater that brings entertainment to an otherwise run-down area of town. Many are self-initiated, involving DIY building and grass-roots platforms for collective, participatory development. Usually they're temporary arts festivals or exhibitions that challenge the way permanent buildings are designed and constructed. Always, temporary architecture involves engaging the public as key protagonists in their formation and operation.

Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion. (Credits: Gondolas)

If we assume that temporary architecture is something which is non-permanent, then it has been around in one form or another since time began, as primitive shelters during prehistoric times and as modern-day garden sheds. In contemporary architecture we may be more familiar with temporary exhibitions and pavilions: Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion (1929) for example or Alison and Peter Smithson's House of the Future for the Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition in London (1956) are just a couple of examples out of many. The latter was also about transforming architectural forms into compelling artistic images, which served both as advertisements to promote Mies Van Der Rohe's work and his influential ideas on the future of architecture.

These concepts and ideas are similar to the temporary structures being built in today's urban sites. They are about showcasing possible worlds, not entirely real but not entirely fictional either. Unique, rule-breaking structures designed for creativity and bringing attention to areas that are desperately in need of public awareness, rejuvenation and positive energy!

In this process, the role of an architect is expanding to include storytelling, urban planning and communication. Now architects are expected to advocate for the local community and create engaging spaces to encourage people to come together as well as make inaccessible parts of the city welcoming and accessible. This passion for enriching communities through extraordinary architecture is making amazing things happen. Temporal architecture isn’t exclusively pop-ups that come and go as quickly as they appear, it can also be temporary structures or events tied to a wider social agenda that encourages social interaction in our public domains.

Sometimes you're building something specifically because it's something that's never been done in the world before. Sometimes a building lasts for ages, but maybe that isn't the only reason for going through all the trouble of constructing it. It could potentially be worth the effort - like churches, or perhaps a university or even a public hospital - so we definitely must take into consideration how long the course can last and how many people are benefiting from our efforts vs. how much money is being invested into that venture.

Emergency shelters made from re-purposed shipping containers.

If a building is immediately in need of construction such as after an event such as a fire, natural disaster, renovation, or even something like a planned expansion, the best option for those who are responsible for making the decision to choose modular and temporary buildings rather than laying down more permanent ones. Modular and temporary buildings give people flexibility and offer components that can be built in specialized factories out of sight so there's no need to waste time clearing any land or constructing long foundations when it comes to put them up. And whenever you do have the choice, it's always better to opt for something that will minimize any discomfort towards your surroundings when putting something together so quickly on site.

It is important to consider the durability of a building. This is enabled by recycling everywhere you can including the bricks, concrete, aluminum and recycled plastic materials after a project has been completed. As sustainable design becomes more prevalent in architecture, there has also been much criticism directed at construction work as whole throughout this industry due to the added strain on the environment stemming from all that destruction being done unnecessarily. These call for the question of “Do we need this building any longer or are we going to be able to renovate it?”

Demountable structures and the sustainability they provide us with is a topic worth exploring in-depth. Another feature of this design choice is how these structures can be transported to the site more easily than traditional structures. Traditional buildings need to be assembled on the spot, so there's always a time delay between when materials are delivered and when building construction begins. Demountable structures can arrive at the site with all their components fully assembled. It just takes a crane or derrick for them to be put onto foundations where they will stay permanently once construction work is complete. Having components that have been produced in advance also reduces the materials which can strengthen sustainability credentials.

Even though some buildings will be used for many decades to come, we can still think twice before making certain construction decisions that may lead to irreversible damage to our planet and the built environment. We may not necessarily need all of the Olympic facilities for longer than the duration of the event. Even if the country in question might host the events again sometime in the future, there will be a search for a new image and structure. However we will definitely need all of those trees that had to be cut down in order to clear up that piece of land. As such, it is important to really consider whether or not our decisions surrounding these large-scale temporary conditions are being made too hastily or without proper consideration for what sort of long term impact they might have on our world so as not to repeat past mistakes nor continue contributing towards long term issues that continually plague our society such as poor air quality, poor water quality etc.

The search for such solutions also creates new areas of expertise, including designing and problem solving in architecture. An interesting angle to take would be to critique how one can combine sustainability with the built environment, while providing an aesthetically beautiful result that doesn't sacrifice usability. This is where temporary and prefabricated buildings can come into play by pushing their physical boundaries and exploring different aspects of design.

Innovative emergency shelter design for victims of natural and man-made disasters. (Credits: Scott Burrows)

Temporary and modular structures do not have to look like bland boxes that will be discarded in a matter of weeks. If more attention were to be shifted towards that option, there will be a higher chance of new developments and ideas as it is better accepted as an option. This enables a new horizon for building typologies, design and a search for creative solutions. A viable alternative for the traditional construction given the circumstances, this will enable people in the industry to think again before taking the decision to break the ground and go on with the creation of a building from scratch.

There are two popular situations in which temporary structures can provide a solution. The very first is when a building or structure will only be used for temporarily and afterwards it needs to be taken down as it no longer serves its original purpose (like temporary office buildings and pre-fab arenas). Another case might be if you need a location that is to be used at one point but then taken over by another use once the current one has been completed. For such vanity-based architecture, you will be needing options for some modular and easily demountable features that are highly valuable and viable. It is definite to not have very permanent constructions for such occasions to be sustainable at all. The other side of the story involves cases of emergency and urgency due to natural calamities like earthquakes or fires that require protective measures. These are preferred even when the structure will be needed for a long time.

Temporary structures may be built instead of permanent ones for a number of reasons. They are built to have shorter construction time and less disturbance to the area around it compared to a permanent building that would cause more problems than it would solve. For example, temporary housing are used after natural disasters such as hurricanes, cyclones or earthquakes because they require more room and the soil is so soft from the destroyed buildings that there no stable foundation left for a new construction. Temporary shelters may look less attractive but they serve their purpose since many victims can live in them during reconstruction - which can take years! There are also semi-permanent structures that look quite similar to permanent ones but could be moved easily if not needed, like arena stages.

By using proven technologies or established methods, the same objective will still be achieved. It is a helpful alternative to buy time, for example when construction of new solutions may take longer because of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes. This approach improves sustainability because by solving problems more quickly it's more cost-effective, reducing unnecessary costs incurred. With increased importance and attention that will be shifted to the search and thought regarding temporary and modular structures it can be possible to demolish the image of an aluminum box that appears in peoples' minds when they hear the term, 'modular building.' This will help clear the way for a more sustainable built environment where we do not necessarily opt for permanent solutions for temporary conditions.