Promotion pavilion for the Basque Country

The pavilion sits in a gap in the wall that separates the gardens from the river, at an entrance to the gardens. The gap opens onto a bridge: it is a communication axis, and the pavilion must not close it.

The pavilion is raised on load-bearing walls clad in mirrors: the walls disappear and the building seems to float, which lightens the structure. The walls run through the building from top to bottom and hide the stairs inside.

The pavilion's volume, made of vertical timber slats, reads as a continuation of the lines of trees on top of the wall.

Inside there is an exhibition space and shop, a café, a talks area and a small meeting room, all in one open space, each with its own form and elements. The shop and café use curved forms; in the talks area the seats are placed around a small stage, recalling the shape of classical theatres; the meeting room is marked off with a curtain.

A translucent roof lets diffuse light into the interior all day. To protect the paintings from direct sun, they are hung on the walls that hide the stairs, one on each wall; the walls are painted white to give a neutral background.

Eduardo Chillida's sculpture “In Search of Light” (“Argiaren bila”) stands outside the pavilion, on the gardens side, so that it can be seen clearly.