Plans for Gehry's Serpentine Pavilion Unveiled

LONDON—Plans for the Frank Gehry–designed Serpentine Gallery pavilion in London’s Hyde Park have begun to be released. The structure “comprises large timber planks and multiple glass planes set at different angles,” reports the Times (London). Mediabistro says the structure “looks like the Acropolis of Athens after an earthquake.”

Gehry says, “The pavilion is much like an amphitheater, designed to serve as a place for live events, music, performance, discussion, and debate. As the visitor walks through the Pavilion they have access to terraced seating on both sides of the urban street. In addition to the terraced seating there are five elevated seating pods, which are accessed around the perimeter of the pavilion. These pods serve as visual markers enclosing the street and can be used as stages, private viewing platforms, and dining areas.”

Since 2000, the Serpentine has commissioned an architect or artist to build a temporary structure that serves as a café and venue for events and lectures every summer. Previous designers have included Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas, and Olafur Eliasson, whose work was featured last year.

Gehry's pavilion, which opens in July, will be his first built structure in England.