Peter Zumthor drafts up a verdant sanctuary for the 2011 Serpentine Pavilion

This year's Serpentine Gallery Pavilion is not the visually bold statement of Jean Nouvel's bright red composition for 2010, or the playful engineering feat that was the Rem Koolhaas and Cecil Balmond version in 2006, featuring a moving helium balloon that reacted to the weather conditions. Yet, Peter Zumthor's proposal, Hortus Conclusus (meaning 'enclosed garden'), makes its mark within Serpentine Gallery Pavilion history for the simple reason that while all preceeding offerings have been a celebration of architecture, this one moves the focus to nature. Stemming from the Swiss architect's research into intimate spaces, as well as the architectural definition of a 'sanctuary', the Pavilion this year is a soulful space to relax and contemplate.
On entering the simple, black and low orthogonal volume, through slits cut into its otherwise blind facades, the visitor is led via a dark corridor through to a planted open courtyard. Long known for designs that sit in harmony within nature, like the Bruder Klaus Chapel in Mechernich, Germany or the Therme Vals in Switzerland, now Zumthor brings nature within his design, creating a calm, minimal structure that highlights the internal enclosed garden, lined by sheltered benches.
Located, as always outside the gallery, in the green plains of Hyde Park, the pavilion is essentially a garden within a garden. And while it does not have the visual thrill of its predecessors, it is an intriguing space, introducing a further level of seclusion and mystery into the serene park scenery.
The Pavilion's lavish centrepiece garden is the work of influential Dutch designer Piet Oudolf - who worked on the recently unveiled second section of New York's High Line park - while Arup has provided all the engineering support and specialist technical services in order to make the pavilion a reality.
The Serpentine's program famously presents work by architects who haven't yet built in the UK, which Peter Zumthor indeed hasn't – for now. The Secular Retreat house he is designing for holiday rental enterprise Living Architecture is well underway and planned to be available at the end of 2012. Till then, his Hortus Conclusus at the Serpentine is your best chance to sample Zumthor's unique architectural approach in Britain.
On entering the simple, black and low orthogonal volume, through slits cut into its otherwise blind facades, the visitor is led via a dark corridor through to a planted open courtyard
Stemming from the Swiss architect's research into intimate spaces, as well as the architectural definition of 'sanctuary', the pavilion this year is a space to relax and contemplate
Located, as always outside the gallery, in the green plains of Hyde Park, the pavilion is essentially a garden within a garden
The calm, minimal structure highlights the enclosed planting, lined by sheltered benches for visitors
The Pavilion's lavish centrepiece garden is the work of influential Dutch designer Piet Oudolf, while Arup has provided all the engineering support and specialist technical services in order to make the pavilion a reality
The finished structure will be open to the public from 1 July until 16 October
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
This Hyderabad live/work space is rooted in its leafy context, centred around an old neem tree
In Hyderabad, India, Soil & Soul Studio by Iki Builds is a blueprint for a conscious way of building, working and living
-
What is recycling good for, asks Mika Rottenberg at Hauser & Wirth Menorca
US-based artist Mika Rottenberg rethinks the possibilities of rubbish in a colourful exhibition, spanning films, drawings and eerily anthropomorphic lamps
-
Jessica Anne Woodley’s ‘joyfully imperfect’ furniture seeks your inner child
The designer is launching GliFfY, a furniture studio offering playful forms that reflect on her personal growth
-
Get lost in Megan Rooney’s abstract, emotional paintings
The artist finds worlds in yellow and blue at Thaddaeus Ropac London
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the week
It was a jam-packed week for the Wallpaper* staff, entailing furniture, tech and music launches and lots of good food – from afternoon tea to omakase
-
London calling! Artists celebrate the city at Saatchi Yates
London has long been an inspiration for both superstar artists and newer talent. Saatchi Yates gathers some of the best
-
Alexandra Metcalf creates an unsettling Victorian world in London
Alexandra Metcalf turns The Perimeter into a alternate world in exhibition, 'Gaaaaaaasp'
-
Lubaina Himid and Magda Stawarska’s new show at Kettle’s Yard will uncover the missing narratives in everyday life stories
The artists and partners in life are collaborating on an immersive takeover of Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge, in an exhibition that delves into a lost literary legacy
-
Sexual health since 1987: archival LGBTQIA+ posters on show at Studio Voltaire
A look back at how grassroots movements emphasised the need for effective sexual health for the LGBTQIA+ community with a host of playful and informative posters, now part of a London exhibition
-
Ten things to see at London Gallery Weekend
As 125 galleries across London take part from 6-8 June 2025, here are ten things not to miss, from David Hockney’s ‘Love’ series to Kayode Ojo’s look at the superficiality of taste
-
Out of office: what the Wallpaper* editors have been up to this week
This week saw the Wallpaper* team jet-setting to Jordan and New York; those of us left in London had to make do with being transported via the power of music at rooftop bars, live sets and hologram performances