Barcelona Pavilion

Lecture 1

The Barcelona Pavilion has become something I see  often, considering I have been designing it over the past 6 weeks on sketch up. I have become more aware of the colours, materials, use of furniture and how it is ‘an emblematic work of the modern movement, has been exhaustively studied and interpreted as well as having inspired the oeuvre of several generations of architects.

Looking at the main features  of the building the 4 types of stone (Roman travertine, ancient green marble from Greece, green alpine marble and golden onyx from the atlas mountains) are the materials that really stand out most due to the syplistic materials that surround it. The different types of stone bounce nicely against each other as they contrast well and stand out individually against one another. Roman Travertine is used as part of the flooring which I really enjoy due to it being a calm natural colour that is almost relaxing in a way. The green alpine marble  is beautiful and has abstract patterns that create symmetric reflection against the water which contrasts and surrounds the bronze reproduction of the piece entitled Dawn by Georg Kolbe. The sculpture is placed at one end of the small pond which creates nice shadows when the sun hits off it along with its reflection against the water and windows opposite it. The large windows with a steel frame that is used throughout the building is completed greatly by its surroundings. 

The minimalist use of furniture within the pavilion almost implies that you don’t need to sit down whilst visiting. The very few chairs and foot rests stand out due to being the only piece of furniture but also blend in due to the calm colour of cream. The frame being moulded from a single piece of stainless steel and the use of cow leather creating this low down chair where some would struggle to get down to has a cost of £4,500. The chairs looks appealing but it almost becomes a decoration due to the being placed in the middle of the pavilion where no one would really want to sit down.

The surroundings of trees, grass and the sky complement the pavilion due to the nice colours and movements of the sky, trees and leaves, creating nice reflections against the glass and stone work. The sun brightens up the whole place allowing natural light to surround the building. At night the pavilion also creates nice reflection against the pond and the stone work due to the use of indirect light that really highlight the main featured at night time. The Pavilion is an inspiring design where the use of open space, materials, and structure really draw your attention.