Frank Gehry Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2008

The Serpentine Gallery in London has established a tradition of hosting a Summer Pavilion. Each year provides a new design by leading international architects. The 2008 pavilion from Frank Gehry is a magnificent addition to the sequence.

Its structure appears to be fundamentally supported by large chunks of raw wood providing a frame that then supports timber and glass roof panels held in position by a web of steel beams. The pavilion is enclosed on two sides by further chunks of wood that form tiered seats, sheltered by etched glass, with two raised glass sided platforms.

The completed structure is well ventilated, but may well keep guests dry if the London rain falls vertically.

An article in Dezeen Design Magazine includes original design models for the pavilion. Not all the comments were positive, I hope those who can now see the completed project are more excited and might change their minds.

The Building website has several articles on the construction process for the pavilion with many excellent photos. This also shows what is inside those massive timber columns and beams.

The 2010 pavilion from the French Architect Jean Nouvel adds to the London collection.

The Serpentine Gallery is situated in Hyde park London, between the Serpentine Lake and the Albert Memorial.

Earlier Serpentine Gallery Pavilions are recorded on the official Serpentine Gallery website. This site also includes a time lapse video of the construction of the 2008 pavilion.

The 2009 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion will be designed by the Japanese Architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of the SANAA practice.