Tags
architecture, environment, Hyde Park London, Japanese, landscape, London, Serpentine Gallery, Serpentine Pavilion, Sou Fujimoto
“It is a really fundamental question how architecture is different from nature, or how architecture could be part of nature, or how they could be merged…what are the boundaries between nature and artificial things.” Sou Fujimoto
Asymmetry, grids, mesh, openwork create a white cloud for this year’s Serpentine Pavilion, a temporary structure for the summer in Hyde Park. However Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto’s talk on his creation was entitled ‘Architecture as forest’, suggesting inspiration from trees rather than clouds.
He described it as “…an architectural landscape: a transparent terrain that encourages people to interact with and explore the site in diverse ways. Within the pastoral context of Kensington Gardens, I envisage the vivid greenery of the surrounding plant life woven together with a constructed geometry. A new form of environment will be created, where the natural and the man-made merge; not solely architectural nor solely natural, but a unique meeting of the two.”
Hans Ulrich Obrist, Co-Director, Serpentine Gallery, said: “Art and architecture is always experienced within the context of nature at the Serpentine. Like the park that surrounds the Gallery, Sou Fujimoto’s extraordinary design for our new Pavilion inhabits a space between nature and artificiality. While the structure blends, cloud-like into its natural surroundings, the intricate matrix of interlinking grids suggests a digital aesthetic that resonates with our age.
“My thinking is in dialogue with my hand” the architect said, so I tried a variety of approaches through the sketches above to get at the ‘nature’ of the structure. I stayed outside and at a distance for my first visit and only photographed the pavilion afterwards.
To compare the previous two Pavilions see here and here.
dianajhale 
Beautiful sketches! x
Intriguing structure and lovely sketches.(1&4 my favourites). Was going to ask what it was made from and whether you could actually enter it but I can see that from the link. Thanks Diana.
Interesting to hear your favourites. I didn’t give a lot of detail here! I have only just been back to go in as it was actually closed off for a fundraising bash when I went before! Will put some photos on Flickr probably.
This might be rather indiscriminating but I like them all! The last one particularly is intriguing…it looks like it’s been torn and we’re looking into another darker space.
I went to see Sou Fujimoto’s structure a few weeks ago, I think it works really well as “an architectural landscape”, people were sitting and playing in it, without the construction losing its transparent quality. Very simple, very beautiful!
Having been back to go inside I agree it does seem to absorb people without being overwhelmed by them.
Hi Diana. I like 2,1 and 5 best, in that order. 2 because it seems to touch sky, 1 because it captures the whiteness and wholeness of the Pavilion, and 5 because it reminds me of a book telling a story. The Pavilion is amazing. Art at the level of landscape … Jane
Thanks Jane. It is always interesting to see which images other people prefer. I think the first two are closest to how the Pavilion appears in reality. I like the idea of a book telling a story!
Marvellous post as always!
Thanks, Matt.
I much prefer this offering to last year’s. This would have been much more impressive on The Space.
It could not be more different certainly! I like the ethereality of it from the distance and it will be interesting to see it in different weather conditions.
Your posts are always somethin different. I love them. Great sitation, great pictures.
Thanks again, Bente – your support is much appreciated!