Dezeen Magazine

Escobedo Soliz weaves colourful ropes across MoMA PS1 courtyard

Mexican studio Escobedo Soliz has installed a web of brightly hued rope at the MoMA PS1 gallery in Queens, New York.

Weaving the Courtyard was created for the museum's 2016 Young Architects Program (YAP) and opened last month.

Architects Lazbent Pavel Escobedo and Andrés Soliz described their installation as "neither an object nor a sculpture standing in the courtyard, but a series of simple, powerful actions that generate new and different atmospheres".

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They used existing holes – made by concrete formwork ties when the courtyard's walls were poured – as points to string the colourful canopy from.

Vivid pink, orange, yellow and green strands contrast with each other, forming what the designers call a "cloud of ropes".

Weaving the Courtyard by Escobedo Soliz
Photograph by Rafael Gamo

"Variations of density are visible throughout the weaving, inviting visitors to interact and occupy spaces for different periods of time," said MoMA PS1.

Coloured rope is a popular choice for architects and designers creating temporary installations, as it can be easily manipulated to create a variety of forms.

Weaving the Courtyard by Escobedo Soliz

Examples include Gabriel Calatrava's stage set for a musical performance in New York, and Janet Echelman's billowing sculpture high above a Boston park.

Escobedo Soliz's web is designed to provide shade across the open space. A reflective wading pool at the back of the courtyard allows visitors to cool off in fresh water, while a mist room provides additional heat relief.

Weaving the Courtyard by Escobedo Soliz
Photograph by Andres Salinas Popp

The majority of the materials used for the construction will be reused by local companies once the installation is disassembled.

Escobedo Soliz was founded in 2011 and is based in Mexico City. The studio was selected as this year's YAP winner from a shortlist of five teams from the US and Mexico.

Weaving the Courtyard by Escobedo Soliz

The other finalists were Los Angeles-based First Office, Ultramoderne from Providence, Rhode Island, Cobalt Office in Houston, and Frida Escobedo from Mexico City.

Weaving the Courtyard will remain on view until 21 August 2016. It is the 17th edition of YAP – a joint initiative between sister institutions MoMA and MoMA PS1.

Weaving the Courtyard by Escobedo Soliz
Photograph by Andres Salinas Popp

Previous installations for the programme have included a giant water purifier, a tower of "grown" bio-bricks and a wall clad with skateboard offcuts.