Zürich has a special relationship with the avant garde. Dada— the first modernist movement to define itself as “anti art,” a radical insurgency against the status quo — was born here. Beginning in 1916, renegades like Tristan Tzara and Hugo Ball published manifestoes, put on inscrutable performances, and basically did everything they could to shock the bourgeoisie, an injunction artists follow even to this day.
It is fitting then that the nomadic contemporary art biennial Manifesta 11 decided to set up shop in the Swiss city this year. Fitting also was the fact that, when it came to designing a pavilion for the exhibition, Studio Tom Emerson handed the reins to a team of 32 architecture students. After all, contemporary art is about youth, adventure, and most of all surprise. The “Pavilion of Reflections” fits this bill on all counts.
Like much of the best contemporary art, Studio Tom Emerson’s pavilion is bold in its simplicity. A minimal, wooden scaffold floating atop the picturesque Lake Zürich, the Pavilion of Reflections features a swimming pool and cinema as well as a sun deck, observation tower, and bar. Intended as the main gathering space for the biennial, the pavilion includes ample space for attendees to meet, gather, and wander.
Studio Tom Emerson project leaders Boris Guisc and Adrian Heusser oversaw the design and construction of this building but their direct contributions were minimal. From the planning phase to the construction, this was a student-led project.
An early rendering showcases the team’s intention for the pavilion to serve as a place for biennial attendees to gather and regroup after a long day of art appreciation.
First, the students organized themselves into small teams to develop multiple proposals, which were discussed and re-worked until the full team came together to settle on a final plan. Sustainable and cost efficient building techniques and materials were chosen in order to ensure that the students’ vision was realizable. When it came to construction, experts and volunteers chipped in to ensure that everything went smoothly. From planning to construction, the process lasted 10 months.
The frank, unadorned structure stands out sharply against the backdrop of old Zürich, infusing the city with a dash of contemporary energy.
The Pavilion of Reflections opened to the public on June 11th and will remain open until September 19th.
All images courtesy of Studio Tom Emerson