NEGAR KALANTAR

Project Description: Commissioned pro bono at the request of Dean Jorge Vanegas of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University, this project exemplifies a practice-based research initiative that bridges academic inquiry and built work. Developed for the world’s largest Earth Day event in Dallas, Texas, the project involved the design and fabrication of two large-scale transformable pavilions that served as the visual centerpiece of the college’s campus-wide exhibit.

Each pavilion was engineered to expand from a compact 4’ x 4’ volume into a deployable structure spanning over 20 feet. Designed with principles of material intelligence, spatial efficiency, and environmental responsibility, the pavilions were fabricated at the college’s Automated Fabrication and Design Lab using digital design and manufacturing methods.

By requiring fewer materials and consuming less energy, the structures embodied a sustainable and reusable approach. Their durability and adaptability have allowed for continued use at various institutional and public events over several years. This project not only addressed a civic and educational purpose but also reinforced the role of collaborative design research in advancing architectural practice.