The serpentine Pavillion, Kensington Gardens, London, designed by architect Peter Zumthor who said his design aimed "to help its audience take the time to relax, to observe and then, perhaps, start to talk again - maybe not". Piet Oudolf created the garden within the pavilion following the concept hortus conclusus (enclosed garden) - a contemplative room, a garden within a garden, 'a place abstracted from the world of noise, traffic and smells of London.
I enjoy the spiritual aspects of this garden space. The matte black walls and cantilevered roof enable an experience of solitude and calmness; whilst the central rectangular cut out allows light to penetrate the planting, exposing the vast, open sky forming a collaboration of tranquility. I can imagine being here feeling completely undisturbed...alone, whilst also completely connected. It is clear that the composition of this space has been thoroughly thought through, the scale of light being a key part. In my opinion the garden is very gentle, poised in some regards yet makes a statement.
This precedent has definitely sparked some ideas for me in the way I design especially in my current project North Place.
Photograph: John Offenbach, 2011, via https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/serpentine-gallery-pavilion-2011-peter-zumthor/
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