Installed in the Tuileries Garden as part of the Paris+ par Art Basel Art Fair, the Green Pavilion is a glass pavilion with a pyramidal roof resembling a historical greenhouse designed by architect Odile Decq for Galerie Philippe Gravier.
Galerie Philippe Gravier commissioned Decq to create a functional work of art that will be placed in iconic squares during the Art Fair in 2022.
The Green Pavilion is an updated version of the Black Pavilion, which Decq created in 2015 for the gardens of the 17th-century castle in Rouen.
She recreated the shape of the pavilion found on the territory of the castle, made of black, one-sided glass reflecting the surrounding landscape.
It was never installed at the intended location, but was instead used as an installation on Concord Square during the FIAC Art Fair in 2019.
For the new pavilion, the architect replaced the black glass with transparent glass and adapted the design so that it could function as a greenhouse reminiscent of greenhouses created on this site in the 16th century.
“The green pavilion is a very simple way to build greenhouses in private parks,” said Decq.
It was designed as a minimalist structure, with massive glass panels and the steel structure remaining rough as it is.
In the pavilion, there were shelves with plants usually found in traditional greenhouses, such as herbs and citrus plants.
The glazed structure allowed passers-by to see various delicate and rare species of plants placed inside.
At night, candles were lit, and the pavilion took the appearance of a lantern.
The pyramidal roof of the Green Pavilion has been changed compared to an earlier design to include the holes necessary for interior ventilation.
The hydraulic pusher system allowed glass panels to automatically open in response to an increase in temperature inside the greenhouse.
Visitors could enter the pavilion through an arched opening, which echoes the design of the historic pavilion in Rouen.
The pavilion had a minimum doorway without a frame, connected to hinges attached directly to the glass wall and door panel.
The arched shape minimized the possibility of damage to any fragile corners.
These large greenhouses were fashionable in Northern Europe from the 17th to the 19th century and were used to protect fruit trees in winter.
Herbs such as rosemary and thyme were exhibited in the Green Pavilion next to the laurel and citrus trees.
The plants were surrounded by a simple metal table and benches, which were used for events during the fair.
Odile Decq founded the studio of the same name in the 1980s and gained a reputation thanks to her radical approach to architecture.
In 2016, she was awarded the Jane Drew Award for promoting the role of women in architecture and is described as a “creative force, an energetic violator of the rules and a defender of equality”.
Project: Green Pavilion
Architects: Studio Odile Decq
Lead Architect: Odile Decq
Client: Galerie Philippe Gravier
Photographer: Stefan Tuhila
