Designed by Seoul-based Korean architect Minsuk Cho and his studio Mass Studies, the Archipelagic Void is a multi-faceted timber construction. Five ‘islands’, each structure unique in size, form, and purpose, converge to create a central open space in representation of a madang, a small courtyard found in old Korean houses.
A concept rich in tradition, it is contemporary in appearance. We countersunk fixings and fitted timber plugs to provide the structure with clean lines. We creatively manufactured joints to enhance its visual appearance. Its modern colour palette breaks down black stained timber façades with bright orange and pink hues.
The timber material was sourced from UK-grown Douglas Fir trees felled specifically for the project; the natural variation in size and shape of the tree required the timber to be sculpted to size from the felled trunk. We carried out a test build here at Stage One for all parties to assess the technical specification, the processes employed, and the design aesthetic prior to manufacture.
Built on site as individual structures, a steel halo brought them together whilst delineating the central void, its five component pieces welded together to create the eight-meter diameter circle. Marking out the structures was a critical phase in the process and required utmost precision for the build to successfully accommodate the fall across the site whilst maintaining sharp rooflines.
From engineering to manufacture to build, our teams bring an abundance of knowledge, skill and expertise to this project and have transformed the Serpentine Pavilion from render into reality for the last fifteen years.
