Fading Spaces

Seth Oliver

“To be brief is almost a condition of being inspired”- George Santayana. I believe this statement is also true when applying to architecture. A temporary structure can be just as powerful and amazing as a permanent one. One architect that tends to do wonders with the temporary pavilions is none other than the famous Zaha Hadid. Her work has captured the attention of the world for the unique curves and generally other worldly forms. Her pavilions are no different. My favorite ones are the Serpentine Pavilion in Hyde Park, London for 2007 and then the Burnham Pavilion of Chicago in 2009.

                 The building of the Serpentine Pavilion generally marks when an architect has made it to the big leagues.  Zaha Hadid has had the pleasure of being invited more than one time. I was really taken with the second iteration. This one is really just three identical structures that are centered arount one point. Clean, simple and elegant. The great part is that it works really well for creating spaces. Several events were held in and around this structure including the world renowned fundraiser, The Summer Party. All because three cloth covered aluminum mushroom-like pieces were in a park. This is amazing to me. It is such a simple solution to a general problem. The new space under the structures is what I would imagine it would be like to be an insect under a plant. This is one perfect example of something that made a very big impact for just a short period of time.

                Another less well known pavilion by Zaha Hadid is the Burnham Pavilion in Chicago. This one really looks like it is an alien structure in a park. I am rather taken with the form and think it is perfect for the momentary function of streaming a video of the history of the city plan of Chicago. The structure is also made of cloth and aluminum, but this one is injected with LEDs that change the feel of the space at different point during the day. The colors range from red to blue to green to orange. So it is never the same for the participating audience or the passers-by. The structure looks very pod like with organic forms from head to toe. The openings are on two separate points to create a movement through the pavilion.  

 

                Pavilions are probable something that are overlooked by the general populous. I am of the mind-set that they are actually one of the things that can help any architects reputation. To design a space successfully with such limited materials and time span says a good deal about somebody. Zaha Hadid may not be the best at making actual buildings work, but nothing bad can be said about her temporary structures. It might just be the case that certain people should only to the short term things. But a short termed things can often be the thing that makes the most impact.