Peter Zumthor's 2011 Serpentine Pavilion

Wednesday 29 June 2011

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011 © Peter Zumthor; photograph: Walter Herfst

Renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor unveiled his new Serpentine Pavilion this week, in an annual tradition that sees the London gallery select a different architect to design the structure each summer.

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011 © Peter Zumthor; photograph: Walter Herfst

The garden design for the pavilion is by Dutch designer Piet Oudolf, who has worked with Zumthor to create a space for tranquility and reflection, set back from the sounds and worries of central London.

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011 © Peter Zumthor; photograph: Walter Herfst
Zumthor said of the project, "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."

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011 © Peter Zumthor; photograph: Walter Herfst

"The hortus conclusus that I dream of is enclosed all around and open to the sky. Every time I imagine a garden in an architectural setting, it turns into a magical place. I think of gardens that I have seen, that I believe I have seen, that I long to see, surrounded by simple walls, columns, arcades or the façades of buildings – sheltered places of great intimacy where I want to stay for a long time."

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011 © Peter Zumthor; photograph: Walter Herfst