Artwork
I designed the pavilion for Joan Miró’s Moonbird. Miró was a Barcelona-born Surrealist best known for his paintings, as well as his sculpture and ceramics. He first modeled Moonbird in clay in 1946 and it was then cast in bronze 20 years later and stands 7.5 feet tall.
Design Inspiration
Miró often used celestial themes like the moon and stars as well as a sort of child-like playfulness which are very apparent in Moonbird so I decided to use these same themes to guide me in my ideation process.
Ideation Sketches
Site
I chose this area on Promontory Point because this is where I observed most of the swimmers hanging out. Its relationship to the water and swimmers felt like a fitting setting for the sculpture and the pavilion’s playful character.
Materials
The approach is a gravel walkway. Someone traveling the main loop-path on the peninsula would first see the back side of the sculpture and be intrigued to approach.
The shell is honed concrete with basalt and granite aggregates for added texture and interest, topped by a steel brim.
Orientation
The shell’s opening faces north to help shield parkgoers from Chicago’s southern winds.
Light and shadow
The opening between the shell and brim projects a crescent-shaped shadow onto the gravel. In summer months around 8 a.m., the shadow falls at the center of the circular walkway.
Intent
I chose simple materials that contrast with the sculpture while carrying Miró’s playful spirit and echoing Moonbird’s crescent moon themes through the form of the pavilion.
Site Plan
Plan
Elevation
