herzog & de meuron + ai weiwei complete 2012 serpentine pavilion
the 12th serpentine gallery by swiss architects herzog & de meuron and beijing-based ai weiwei is now complete. a plane of water is floats above the lawn of the serpentine gallery in london, england, inviting visitors to pass beneath it and observe the recently exposed components of the gallery’s past structures. eleven columns representing each of the previous editions elevate the roof plane 1.4 meters from the excavated ground while an additional support stands for the current construct.
encouraging visitors to delve under the surface, this archaeological experience transports them back in time as they lounge within the interior. cork lines the surfaces of the stepped ground plane and seating to generate a warm location for repose. during the summer, the venue will host public talks and events during ‘park nights’ until october 14, 2012.
serpentine gallery pavilion 2012 designed by herzog & de meuron and ai weiwei © herzog & de meuron and ai weiwei image © iwan baan
‘all of these foundations will now be uncovered and reconstructed. the old foundations form a jumble of convoluted lines, like a sewing pattern. a distinctive landscape emerges out of the reconstructed foundations which is unlike anything we could have invented; its form and shape is actually a serendipitous gift. the three-dimensional reality of this landscape is astonishing and it is also the perfect place to sit, stand, lie down or just look and be amazed. in other words, the ideal environment for continuing to do what visitors have been doing in the serpentine gallery pavilions over the past eleven years – and a discovery for the many new visitors anticipated for the london 2012 olympic games.’ – herzog & de meuron + ai weiwei
serpentine gallery pavilion 2012 designed by herzog & de meuron and ai weiwei © herzog & de meuron and ai weiwei image © iwan baan
see designboom’s initial coverage of the pavilion’s design and unveiling.
serpentine gallery pavilion 2012 designed by herzog & de meuron and ai weiwei © herzog & de meuron and ai weiwei image © iwan baan
serpentine gallery pavilion 2012 designed by herzog & de meuron and ai weiwei © herzog & de meuron and ai weiwei image © iwan baan
serpentine gallery pavilion 2012 designed by herzog & de meuron & ai weiwei © 2012, by herzog & de meuron and ai weiwei
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constructed entirely from fir wood, the observatory perfectly integrates into its forest environment.
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Looks best from above, kind of dreary underneath like being in a basement. Not very inspiring to me.
espantoso
The worst of the 12 pavillions. Disapointing work from H&dM. Definetely not a corker!
Im really looking forward to seeing it in the flesh as its possibly easy to mis judge from the photos. Certainly its clever but whats it like to experience?
horrible
I loved it on the renders, but i thougt it will be really like a pithole, with soil, and mud surrounding us, it\’s a bit disappoingting to see the final material on these\’s photos, hope it\’s better in real life. I also hoped there would be some concrete foundations left from late pavilions to be shown here, like an excavation.
would have been nice to experience the water also underneath the canopy… as such i wonder what kind of stories the space tells… you see the excavation idea is great!!! mystical…. but what is revealed there ??? this is the question? would love to see it for real…
I’ve been – Can’t believe the negative comments, although likely from people who haven’t experienced the space. Lovely to be in and around.
seems more verbal than architectural !
Water is not always flat
it is alive
here it is dead
as in a pool where one drop causes ripples to spread across the surface
as in a raked Japanese garden
life and contemplation and pause
are expressed in quiet movements… ripples
I sadly do not see that here