Peter Zumthor’s Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011

Peter Zumthor Serpentine Gallery Pavilion is the third pavilion that I was able to see in London. And it is incredible how much they all differ from each other.

First pavilion I visited back in 2008 was Frank Gehry’s pavilion which contained of massive steel columns with timber planks and glass panels creating ‘part-amphitheatre, part-promenade’ offering flexible space to all visitors.

In 2010 I visited Jean Nouvel’s bright red pavilion which was visible from a far distance, contrasting with all greenery around – the colour was inspired by traditional every day life British objects such as buses, post and telephone boxes. The space also contained a cafe and the whole space felt very vibrant and energetic.

Finally, this year of 2011 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion was designed by Peter Zumthor who created a space that might not feel that welcoming from the first outlook as it simply looks like black box. However once a space is entered a secret garden with wild bed of grasses and plants is discovered. Hortus conclusus is the concept and means a contemplative room and a garden within a garden.

The pavilion can still be seen until the 16th of October 2011 in Kensington Gardens. See the contact information of the Serpentine Gallery for any further details.

Following quote by Peter Zumthor best summarises the idea of this year’s pavilion.

‘A garden is the most intimate landscape ensemble I know of. It is close to us. There we cultivate the plants we need. A garden requires care and protection. And so we encircle it, we defend it and fend for it. We give it shelter. The garden turns into a place.’

Jean Nouvel image by Ateliers Jean Nouvel