Challenging Concept for 2017 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion - continued

By creating parametric models of the Pavilion’s steel, timber, and polycarbonate cantilevering canopy, and transferring the models into 3D virtual and augmented reality environments, it was possible to immerse ourselves in full-scale simulations of the bespoke design, bringing everyone much closer to the design compared to using traditional hand sketching and small-scale physical models alone.

Bringing innovation to the industry

Engineering the Serpentine Pavilion was an exciting, high-pressured role. With collaboration, creativity and communication at the heart of the project, designing and delivering the Pavilion on time is always achievable.

Through this forward-thinking team dynamic, where traditional consultant responsibilities and interfaces become blurred, it is possible to share experience, enthusiasm and expertise to realise the architect’s vision and turn it into a reality.

Rainwater Management

Visitors to the 2017 Serpentine Pavilion in London’s Kensington Gardens will enjoy its spectacular effects unaware of the below ground water management solution right at its heart, provided by the sustainable drainage market-leader, SDS Limited.

The roof canopy is supported by a central steel framework and covered with a transparent twin-wall polycarbonate skin.

Underground Storage

The water cascades down from the roof onto a publicly-accessible, elliptical-shaped 21 m² area of 130 mm-deep cream-coloured granular stone, before being conveyed to the GEOlight storage tank beneath. The underground storage is designed to hold back up to 6,000 litres of water.

Yana Peel, CEO and Artistic Director, Hans Ulrich Obrist said:

The Serpentine has no budget for this annual architecture commission and must raise all the funds to make the scheme a reality.

The Serpentine Pavilion is open to the public between 23 June and 8 October 2017.

AECOM UK
Stage One
SDS Limited