Main author
Michael BrooksBlur Building
See the Unusual building of the week series here.
The Blur Building was a temporary pavilion built for the Swiss EXPO 2002 by the architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R). Located at the base of Lake Neuchatel in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, the structure was intended to be an ‘architecture of atmosphere’.
It claimed to use water as the primary building material; pumping it from the lake before filtering and shooting it as a fine mist through 31,500 high-pressure mist nozzles. Controlled by a smart weather system that regulated the water pressure, the water vapour created an ‘artificial cloud’ that dominated its form.
The lightweight structure measured 300 ft x 200 ft, and appeared to hover 75 ft above the lake’s surface on four columns. The columns sat on piles sunk deep beneath the water. A system of rectilinear struts and diagonal rods cantilevered the structure out over the lake, with walkways weaving through it and providing a counterweight. The architects based this ‘tensegrity’ structural form on the work of Buckminster Fuller.
A 400 ft long ramp took visitors to the open-air platform where they were able to enter and move around in the fog, the intention being to experience a ‘white-out’ and alter perception of the senses.
Despite critical success and being visited by more than 1 million people, the structure was not intended to be permanent and was dismantled at the end of the exhibition.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.