Serpentine Pavilion 2014 designed by Smiljan Radić

Chilean architect Smiljan Radić designed the fourteenth Serpentine Pavilion, a semi-translucent, cylindrical structure that resembled a shell.

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion (2014) by Photograph © 2014 Iwan Baan and Designed by Smiljan RadićSerpentine

"From the outside, visitors see a fragile shell in the shape of a hoop suspended on large quarry stones. Appearing as if they had always been part of the landscape, these stones are used as supports, giving the pavilion both a physical weight and an outer structure characterised by lightness and fragility." Smiljan Radić

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion (2014) by Photograph © 2014 John Offenbach and Designed by Smiljan RadićSerpentine

"The shell, which is white, translucent and made of fibreglass, contains an interior that is organised around an empty patio at ground level, creating the sensation that the entire volume is floating." Smiljan Radić

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion (2014-06-26) by Photograph © 2014 Iwan Baan and Designed by Smiljan RadićSerpentine

"At night, the semi-transparency of the shell, together with a soft amber-tinted light, draws the attention of passers-by like lamps attracting moths." Smiljan Radić

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion (2014) by Photograph © 2014 John Offenbach and Designed by Smiljan RadićSerpentine

Designed as a flexible, multi-purpose social space, the Pavilion had a café sited inside. Visitors were encouraged to enter and interact with the structure in different ways.

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion (2014) by Photograph © 2014 John Offenbach and Designed by Smiljan RadićSerpentine

Serpentine Pavilion 2014: Smiljan RadićSerpentine

Smiljan Radić talks to Oliver Wainwright about creating a place of refuge for London – and why being crude is more important than being polished.

Credits: Story

Photography © Iwan Baan and John Offenbach

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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