TDO collaborated with artist James Bridle and Bold Tendancies Gallery to design a 150 sq m rooftop gallery pavilion to house a large, military-grade helikite balloon alongside space for the artists’ residency and talks.

The scheme was delivered in 10 weeks from concept to opening night.

Drawing on the influences on James’s work, the design developed out of researching large scale aeronautical shelters and rapidly deployable structures, from Zeppelin hangars to Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion Shelter, leading the design towards appropriating industrial structures that were assembled on site in a matter of days.

The design addresses the panoramic skyline view by channelling views vertically towards the Balloon in flight.

The positioning of the three imposing circular structures creates a series of interlinked spaces framing views towards the skyline.

The spaces between the corrugated walls emphasise the sky above.

As part of the wider activity on this Peckham carpark rooftop, which is also home to Frank’s Bar, the installation was visited by thousands over the summer of 2014.

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Photography by Ben Blossom