Serpentine Pavilion in London scheduled to open next week, the Serpentine Gallery has released construction images of SelgasCano’s multi-colored plastic shelter. The Images show the double-skinned ETFE-coated structure taking shape, and give an impression of the spatial experience offered by the “secret corridors” which circumnavigate and provide access to the interior space.
The architects describe their design: ‘When the Serpentine invited us to design the Pavilion, we began to think about what the structure needed to provide and what materials should be used in a Royal Park in London.
These questions, mixed with our own architectural interests and the knowledge that the design needs to connect with nature and feel part of the landscape, provided us with a concept based on pure visitor experience.
We sought a way to allow the public to experience architecture through simple elements: structure, light, transparency, shadows, lightness, form, sensitivity, change, surprise, colour and materials. We have therefore designed a Pavilion which incorporates all of these elements.
The spatial qualities of the Pavilion only unfold when accessing the structure and being immersed within it. Each entrance allows for a specific journey through the space, characterised by colour, light and irregular shapes with surprising volumes.
This is accomplished by creating a double-layered shell, made of opaque and translucent fluorine-based plastic (ETFE) in a variety of colours. At the heart of the Pavilion is an open space for gathering as well as a café.
We are also very much aware of the Pavilion’s anniversary in our design for the 15th annual commission. The structure therefore had to be – without resembling previous Pavilions – a tribute to them all and a homage to all the stories told within those designs.
“We sought a way to allow the public to experience architecture through the simplest elements: structure, light, transparency, shadows, lightness, form, sensitivity, change, surprise, color and materials,” explained the architects when they unveiled the design in March.
SelgasCano’s Serpentine Gallery Pavilion is scheduled to open on June 25th, and will be in place at the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park until October 18th, 2015. Source by Serpentine Gallery.
