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Floating Pavilion

The Floating Pavilion is an unusual entertainment venue in Groningen, the Netherlands. Well, it's in Groningen most of the time. You see, as it's name suggests, it floats – along waterways, through the countryside, day or night.
Which is why it's pretty unusual.

Designed by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki in 1996, this concrete barge has a giant, spiraling, translucent canopy that reminds its designer of a swan. The words that inspired its creation were 'silence, space, movement, play, dream, water, change and freedom'.

And it's truly adaptable – being able to change location and function with equal ease. There's enough room for a sizeable audience, or the boat can also be used as an entire stage.

Images: courtesy Maki and Associates

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