Counterwork

06.07.08

pavilion

this year’s pavilion at the serpentine gallery is designed by frank gehry. it’s not quite finished yet (it opens on the 20th of July) but it’s looking quite impressive.
it’s not really the kind of architecture that i usually enjoy but i can’t help admiring the complexity and engineering involved in the structure.
of the structure gehry has said: ‘the pavilion is designed as a wooden timber structure that acts as an urban street running from the park to the existing gallery. inside the pavilion, glass canopies are hung from the wooden structure to protect the interior from wind and rain and provide for shade during sunny days. the pavilion is much like an amphitheatre, designed to serve as a place for live events, music, performance, discussion and debate. as the visitor walks through the pavilion they have access to terraced seating on both sides of the urban street. in addition to the terraced seating there are five elevated seating pods, which are accessed around the perimeter of the pavilion. these pods serve as visual markers enclosing the street and can be used as stages, private viewing platforms and dining areas.’
i’ll be visiting again when it’s open.