For this entry I am focusing on the Serpentine Pavilion in Hyde Park. I chose to focus on this example of Media Architecture because I am fascinated by the idea of temporary architecture.
Beginning in 2000, the pavilion has been completed yearly by famous architects and open to the public for only part of the year. Since there have been 11 completed pavilions, I am only focusing on 2 specific structures. The first structure I will focus on I think needed the most improvement. The second I appreciated the most over the13 year span of the pavilion.
I did not find the 2005 pavilion completed by Alvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura with Cecil Balmond as compelling as the other projects in Hyde Park. The project was completed with interlocking timbers and using tessellation as a solution to form. The interior and exterior of the project do not have any harmony. The outside appears more like an open cardboard box, while the interior is a very defined space that appears to be curing to the ground. The wood and additional materials do not extend completely to the ground on the longest part of the structure allowing those outside to see in to the space. I think an open roof would have been more successful in uniting the interior space with the park as opposed to the open base of the wall. I think the space is lost somewhere between the outdoors and indoors rather than being a harmonious space uniting both. The pavilion appears very successful, but when compared to other structures for example, Frank Gehry's 2008 structure, or Toyo Ito and Arup's 2002 structure, it lacks a strong design identity.
My favorite pavilion is the 2011 project designed by Peter Zumthor. I was first drawn to this pavilion because of it's internal garden. After studying more images of the space, I began to visualize entering the space. The architect's use of pathways is unique. Rather than having a entry to connect directly to the garden the user is forced to fully enter the structure and find the other doors leading to the center. These offset doors beautifully brings natural light in to the structure and gives a sense of direction. Once stumbling upon the courtyard the user can find the hidden garden. Beautifully contrasting the very naturalistic and large scale landscape outside the structure, large, old trees: the native garden appears a bit chaotic and out of place. The scale of the plants and unique attributes of each plant, however, are perfect for the space. The plants chosen fill the space but are not so tall or overgrown that the overwhelm and overtake the space.
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I look forward to seeing images of the completed 2013 structure.
Beginning in 2000, the pavilion has been completed yearly by famous architects and open to the public for only part of the year. Since there have been 11 completed pavilions, I am only focusing on 2 specific structures. The first structure I will focus on I think needed the most improvement. The second I appreciated the most over the13 year span of the pavilion.
I did not find the 2005 pavilion completed by Alvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura with Cecil Balmond as compelling as the other projects in Hyde Park. The project was completed with interlocking timbers and using tessellation as a solution to form. The interior and exterior of the project do not have any harmony. The outside appears more like an open cardboard box, while the interior is a very defined space that appears to be curing to the ground. The wood and additional materials do not extend completely to the ground on the longest part of the structure allowing those outside to see in to the space. I think an open roof would have been more successful in uniting the interior space with the park as opposed to the open base of the wall. I think the space is lost somewhere between the outdoors and indoors rather than being a harmonious space uniting both. The pavilion appears very successful, but when compared to other structures for example, Frank Gehry's 2008 structure, or Toyo Ito and Arup's 2002 structure, it lacks a strong design identity.
Sally Tallant's photograph showing the gap in the lower exterior wall
interior of structure with grid form
My favorite pavilion is the 2011 project designed by Peter Zumthor. I was first drawn to this pavilion because of it's internal garden. After studying more images of the space, I began to visualize entering the space. The architect's use of pathways is unique. Rather than having a entry to connect directly to the garden the user is forced to fully enter the structure and find the other doors leading to the center. These offset doors beautifully brings natural light in to the structure and gives a sense of direction. Once stumbling upon the courtyard the user can find the hidden garden. Beautifully contrasting the very naturalistic and large scale landscape outside the structure, large, old trees: the native garden appears a bit chaotic and out of place. The scale of the plants and unique attributes of each plant, however, are perfect for the space. The plants chosen fill the space but are not so tall or overgrown that the overwhelm and overtake the space.
John Offenbach's image of the interior hall naturally light by the doorways.
Image of the interior garden with native vegetation
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Images of cutting of roof tilt, promenade, and interior courtyard
I look forward to seeing images of the completed 2013 structure.
