Photo by Danica Kus
The pavilion is classic Zumthor in its minimalism and modernist restraint, but the twist is in how the building pushes the envelope through subtractive design — it reduces aesthetic fetters and even light itself. Visitors are confronted with a simple black box with several entrances. A dark hallway proceeds toward sunlight at the end, which opens to the inner courtyard.
This architecture is great! It is a bit familiar though. It has the reminiscence of a cloister with the world outside excluded from the “monastic” life. The plants in the middle, the rhythm of shadows and lights. Even the outside black walls keep the world away with its noise and distractions.
A fantastic intimate space where to dream and rest and where time doesn’t exist. Thanks to Peter Zumthor, London is not just a place where architecture needs to show off and scream aloud;
“Little is Big”.
My hat off! Zumthor’s pavilion is a brilliant execution of a concept. I hope there were more architects thinking alike.
see my pavilion pictures here;
http://www.aculcoradio.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=288:serpentine-pavilion-black-is-beautiful&catid=1:actualidad