The white pavilion, made of glass-fibre-reinforced plastic (GRP), was designed in 2011 by the architect Jule Pohl as part of the AWI’s “PlanktonTech” project and built by Fiber-Tech GmbH. Its construction is modelled on the fractal shell ribs of diatoms.

Milestones in its history

• 2011: First use at a Frank Stella exhibition at the Jena tram depot; in December, it was moved to the AWI in Bremerhaven, where it was fitted with information panels on bionic lightweight construction.
• 2012: Presentation at the Hannover Messe (Hall 16, almost 100 m² free of charge). The stand was a great success, yielding valuable contacts in business and politics.
• Subsequently: Many ideas for locations (Ponton, Sail City, Klimahaus), but these were either too expensive or unsuitable. It was not until the BEA project (2021) that a viable prospect emerged: a learning centre in the Goethequartier.
• Storm damage in 2021: After a long period on the dyke, the wooden foundations had become rotten. After it was removed, the shell became severely distorted during storm ‘Meike’. Thanks to the bolted construction method, the elements acted like hinges and remained undamaged. The AWI workshop secured the structure, restored it to its original shape and, with a team of ten people, lifted the shell onto a new, extremely stable GRP foundation (2022/23).

New location

In June 2023, the AWI and STÄWOG signed an agreement regarding the property at Uhlandstraße 19 (initially until 2028). In this new ‘Bionics Garden’ – in collaboration with the Goethe45 Gallery – Marine Bionics and Arc

Safety issue and solution

The flat roof, measuring just under 9 m², was considered a climbing hazard. Prohibition signs were not sufficient due to the duty to ensure public safety. There were four proposed solutions:

1. Dismantle and store (rejected due to the risk of damage and the high cost of reassembly).
2. Transporting the intact structure to a temporary storage site (carried out at the Islandkai).
3. Safety concept and mechanical roof securing (concept by Gudrun Gehrken, design by Marion Krüger, implemented by Reuter Carpentry). The roof and floor now form a single unit, with space for up to 12 seats inside.
4. Carefully planned transport to the destination.

Move to the Goethequartier

Due to narrow streets, parked cars and trees, it was not possible for a low-loader to drive right up to the destination, nor could a crane be used. The oversized transport took place during the night of 11 June 2026: the company Toscani manoeuvred the flatbed lorry backwards into Goethestraße; for the final 200 metres or so, the pavilion was pulled by hand on wheels with a steerable drawbar, with the help of local residents. A reception and opening party were held on 26 June.

Inspiration for Synera GmbH

The collaboration with Pohl Architects introduced the AWI lightweight construction team to Rhino-Grasshopper and the Voronoi method. This led to the spin-off ELISE GmbH in 2018 (renamed Synera GmbH in 2022). Synera is regarded as a global leader in agent-based product development, has created around 120 jobs, has a branch in Boston and most recently raised €35 million in a Series B funding round.

Outlook

The pavilion is regarded as a unique contribution to innovative issues of social and economic relevance in Bremerhaven and as a symbol of resource-efficient construction. Further structures are planned, including the ‘shade structure’ made from sustainable materials.

Model: Isthmia, a diatom
Size: approx. 100 µm x 70 µm (magnified under a light microscope); single-celled microalga; material: glass

Model: Isthmia nervosa, a diatom 
Width approx. 5 x 6 m, 3 m high, base plate 10 m², shell weighing approx. 750 kg
Material: glass-fibre-reinforced plastic