2006
Cutty Sark Pavilion
Client
Cutty Sark Enterprises
Location
Greenwich, London, UK
Architect
Youmeheshe Architects
Contractor
Hornagold & Hills
Client
Cutty Sark Enterprises
Location
Greenwich, London, UK
Architect
Youmeheshe Architects
Contractor
Hornagold & Hills
Delivering a temporary tensile pavilion for a landmark conservation project
We engineered and delivered a tensile fabric pavilion at the Cutty Sark, creating a lightweight exhibition space that maintained public engagement during the ship’s restoration.
Multiconic Temporary Tensile Fabric Structure
The spectacular Cutty Sark deserves to welcome its visitors in a spectacular venue. Therefore, this multi-cone tensile fabric structure had to be one of the most unique architectural fabric creations in the country. By day, its peaks resemble crisp meringue; by dusk, the detail in the beautifully lit cones truly comes alive.
The brief called for a temporary pavilion that could house exhibitions, provide interpretation space and act as a public-facing element of the restoration project. The structure needed to be visually engaging, quick to deliver and fully demountable, all within a tight programme and restricted urban site.
A Lightweight, Parametric Tensile Structure
We designed, manufactured and installed a highly complex tensile pavilion, combining a timber gridshell structure with a PVC membrane envelope. The form was developed using advanced parametric modelling, allowing a free-flowing geometry to be realised efficiently and with precision.
The structure is supported by a network of masts and tensioned cables, creating a stable yet lightweight system that minimises material use while achieving a distinctive architectural form. Internally, a triangulated cable network stabilises the gridshell, enabling it to accommodate complex loads and geometry.
Designed for rapid delivery, the pavilion was completed within an accelerated programme of approximately six months from concept to completion, demonstrating the efficiency of digitally driven design and fabrication.
A Temporary Structure with Lasting Impact
The completed pavilion provided a vibrant, engaging space that allowed visitors to experience and understand the restoration of the Cutty Sark while works were underway. Its form, inspired by sails, masts and rigging, created an immersive environment that connected directly to the heritage of the ship.
Beyond its immediate function, the pavilion demonstrated the potential of tensile architecture in cultural settings to deliver high-impact, cost-effective solutions within tight constraints. Designed for disassembly and reuse, the structure extended its value beyond its initial role, reinforcing a sustainable approach to temporary architecture.
