Sommerpavillon Zürich

Zürich, Switzerland

Summer Pavilion Zurich by Shigeru Ban entrance and closed window panels in polycarbonate

Photo © Didier Boy de la Tour

Entrance and open window panel in polycarbonate

Photo © Didier Boy de la Tour

Interior with paper tubes and carbon fiber beams

Photo © Didier Boy de la Tour

Detail paper tubes repeating the column grid and carbon fiber beams

Photo © Didier Boy de la Tour

The terrace of Villa Wesendonck is integrated into the summer pavilion

Photo © Didier Boy de la Tour

Paper tubes are the counterpart of the doric columns

Photo © Didier Boy de la Tour

Detail villa Wesendonck statue in front of the pavilion

Photo © Didier Boy de la Tour

Architects: Architekturbüro Herbert Bruhin

Location: Zürich, Switzerland
Year: 2013
Client: Museum Rietberg Zürich
Bauingenieure: Conzett Bronzini Partner AG + Staubli, Kurath & Partner AG
Generalunternehmer: Bieri Tenta AG
Entwurfsarchitekt: Shigeru Ban Architects Paris

The journey from sketching an idea to the finished building is a long one. It ranges from deliberations on technical feasibility and structural analysis to the fulfilment of all legal requirements. This project involved the development and coordination of all of these tasks. The design of the pavilion bears the signature of Japanese architect and Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Shigeru Ban. The trick was to implement his ideas – pillars made of cardboard and a shell of polycarbonate – using Swiss building techniques. The pavilion is a temporary annexe to Rietberg Museum's Villa Wesendonck and functions as additional event space.