The summer pavilion in Millennium Park is an outpost for the exhibition Spontaneous Interventions: Design Actions for the Common Good. The exhibition—the official US presentation at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale (2012)—is installed in the ground-floor Michigan Avenue Galleries of the Chicago Cultural Center. The summer pavilion is designed to host exhibition-related programs, including talks, panels, tours, workshops but also acts as an outdoor room for the general public.
The pavilion, with an overall size of 60′ x 15′, is formed (and visually defined) by a series of V-shaped structural wood modules connected with steel plates and rods. Above it, a canopy formed by 576 1′ x 1′ color acrylic panels hang from stainless steel cables. Each panel reacts to the wind, moving freely back and forth, which creates a constant-moving colorful canopy. Overall, it’s a playful space defined by bright colors, gentle movement, and constant change. The format and color of the acrylic panels are a reference to the exhibition panels, both in shape and color.
As part of the project, we invited local artist/woodworker John Preus of Dilettante Studios to create seating made of salvaged lumber for our summer pavilion. The seating can be arranged in many configurations in order to facilitate multiple interactions and activities.
