Located in Red Hook, New York, BPI Light Pavilion houses art galleries and administrative offices for the Bard Prison Initiative. Incorporating the site and its history into the architecture was crucial. The landscape has been beautifully and extensively captured through paintings by artists such as Thomas Cole, Albert Bierstadt, Joseph Turner, and Susie Bastow.

The usages of light documented in those paintings embody such rich, vibrant, atmospheric qualities; while collectively demonstrates five distinct compositions which all are categorized into. Essentially, the five distributions of light are translated into the interior conditions that make up the five galleries. The specific interior forms ultimately dictates the external geometry.

INSPIRATION

BPI Pavilion is an art gallery as well as a workspace for administration. However, there is a crucial third function: the pavilion is the starting-point of a historical hiking trail that leads people around scenic routes that are filled with picturesque views. Dozens of historical paintings had been made of the land.

The portrayal of light within those imagery all have a distinct quality. The key element that binds all of these paintings together is sunlight.

Furthermore, upon collecting and examining the paintings, five distinct light treatments can be found; regardless of its painter nor the time it was made.

LIGHT STUDIES

Preliminary interior study-model shots made to examine natural light source that depicts the vignettes. Since the goal is to best match the aura of the paintings, no other external light source can be used: windows. Essentially, the light has to bend and flow smoothly onto the interior wall/ceiling surface. To create a constant language, curved surfaces are introduced only to serve as the one light source. Motorized reflection panels are inserted to bounce light into those curved surfaces. This will allow the maximum amount of sunlight to enter.

Multiple solar studies have been made to determine best angle and positioning of each gallery, year round. That said, unlike many galleries with a constant light source, BPI Pavilion will exhibit different interior lighting conditions by hour and seasons; reflecting the incredible site around it.

PLANS

The ground level is primarily devoted for the administrative space for the Bard Prison Initiative; while the upper level is exclusively gallery spaces. The first gallery is set at the entrance, welcoming the visitors. From the entrance doors, the view to the opening to the trails is made clear. Adjacent to the trail doors, lies the entrance into the offices, stairs and elevator to the upper level, and a reception desk. Stepped seating has been made to the side of the stairs. The workspace includes a reception area, lounge, offices, desks, huddle spaces, kitchen, and an exterior lounge. At the end of the gallery tour, visitors can take the one-directional staircase down into the trails.

LIGHT SOURCE

These galleries are strategically lit, in a way that features a glimpse of light from the adjacent gallery. With this technique, directional circulation is guided by light. 

The light source, being the sun, is reflected into the building using reflective surfaces. Each surface is mechanical to slightly shift to achieve desired interior results.

EXTERIOR

Exterior wall treatment consists of a steel structure with copper on the façade; for its warmth and semi-reflectivity.

As the trees on the site expand, blossom, and then wither, so does the pavilion.

The copper over the years exhibits a patina affect - due to the snow, rain, and wind.

This reaction will help to preserve and protect the metal underneath.

SITE

Located near Bard College, the pavilion sits beautifully engulfed by the native trees. Besides the light, the site is another crucial element that dictates the pavilion’s footprint. The building seamlessly expands into the site without disturbing the context, and disappears into it; due to its materiality: semi-reflective patina copper.

Geometric-wise, the golden ratio is used to determine proportions, voids, and extrusions on the faces of the façade.