Ephemeral Architecture: From the 20th Century to Experiential Tourism

Ephemeral architecture, understood as architecture not intended to endure over time, has accompanied humankind since the beginning, although not always under that name. From the demountable temples of Ancient Egypt to the theater sets of the Baroque, including the pavilions of the 19th-century World’s Fairs, ephemeral architecture has been the setting for the exceptional: celebrations, rituals, fairs, art installations, and public events. But it was only in the 20th century that this practice became more clearly conceptualized, breaking away from traditional monumentality to open the door to new ways of experiencing space.

In that century, the concept took on a new dimension thanks to artistic and cultural movements that sought to break with established patterns. The Archigram group, for example, proposed mobile, modular, and temporary architecture in the 1960s as a critical alternative to rigid and mass urban planning. In that same decade, figures such as Yona Friedman and Cedric Price reflected on the possibility of flexible, adaptable, and short-lived structures as a response to a changing, more dynamic society less dependent on fixed forms of living.

But ephemeral architecture was not merely a conceptual experiment. It also became a fertile ground for technical and material innovation. Temporary pavilions at international exhibitions, such as Mies van der Rohe’s German Pavilion in 1929 or Le Corbusier and Xenakis’s Philips Pavilion in 1958, marked milestones in how space could be conceived without the obligation of permanence, exploring new technologies, structural forms, and lightweight materials with creative freedom.

From exhibition to the natural environment: an evolution toward experience

Over time, ephemeral architecture has evolved from experimental circles toward much broader and more accessible uses. At a time when tourism prioritizes experience over infrastructure, temporary structures have become a strategic tool for generating value without the need for permanent construction.

Festivals like Burning Man in the Nevada desert have taken this idea to the extreme: temporary cities that emerge and disappear without a trace, inhabited for just a few days by thousands of people. In other contexts, such as accommodation, pop-up hotels, seasonal pavilions, and detachable capsules have emerged, all designed to offer a unique, intense, and time-limited experience.

According to a Booking.com report (2023), 73% of global travelers prefer experiences over material goods, and 55% are more attracted to unconventional accommodations that allow them to “experience something different.” Ephemeral architecture directly responds to this demand. Its adaptable, lightweight, and reversible nature not only reduces environmental impact but also enables new ways of inhabiting the environment: more flexible, more emotional, and, in many cases, more memorable.

Skybubbles: A Contemporary Continuity

In this context, structures like Skybubbles can be understood as a coherent evolution of this tradition. Born from the intersection of lightweight architecture, sustainability, and immersive design, Skybubbles embrace the legacy of ephemeral architecture and adapt it to the current challenges of the tourism sector.

Unlike purely artistic or conceptual installations of the 20th century, Skybubbles offer real, scalable solutions for accommodations seeking to differentiate themselves. Their assembly requires no foundations, their impact on the land is minimal, and their integration into the landscape is visually respectful. At the same time, they provide guests with a deeply sensorial experience: sleeping under the stars, surrounded by nature, without sacrificing comfort.

Far from being a passing fad, Skybubbles represent a way of rethinking how we inhabit the temporary. From a functional perspective, yes; but also from an emotional perspective. They are an architecture that does not seek to impose itself on the environment, but rather to disappear into it, accompanying the traveler on an experience that, precisely because it is ephemeral, becomes unforgettable.