Geotope in Kensington Gardens: Serpentine Pavilion 2019 by Junya Ishigami
Image Credit: Serpentine Pavilion 2019, Design Render, Exterior View, © Junya Ishigami + Associates
As shown by Junya Ishigami's cloud-like structure floating above the water in Copenhagen, or the house and restaurant poured out concrete in Yamaguchi, the former SANAA architect does not shy away from turning architectural conventions on their head. Last year a solo exhibition on the construction artist at Fondation Cartier was already documenting his design versatility.
Now Junya Ishigami's next large project is coming up: London's Serpentine Pavilion 2019 in the manner of the Japanese architect, as evidenced by the first sketches and drawings providing a look of what is to come. The design gives the Serpentine Pavilion 2019 a roof made up of solid slabs of slate resting on a structure of delicate supporting elements. The interior will resemble a cave-like space and is to provide visitors a contemplative refuge. As Ishigami states, this is to allow their perspective to oscillate between the man-made and natural environment.
It remains to be seen whether the London summer will be as rainy as depicted in Ishigami's design sketches. Yet even should this come to pass, people will have somewhere to take shelter in Kensington Gardens.
Further information:
Technical Advisor: David Glover
Engineering and all technical services: AECOM
Creative Services: Stage One
Goldman Sachs is headline sponsor of the Serpentine Pavilion 2019