Stories
Upstate New York, USA
An architecturally daring property by architects Johnston Marklee
Designed by Johnston Marklee, the Vipp Pavilion is the fifteenth addition to a growing collection of Vipp guesthouses. Set within a forested landscape in Upstate New York, the project unfolds as a sculptural structure defined by two intersecting geometries.
We spoke with the architects about the ideas shaping the pavilion.
Designed by Johnston Marklee, the Vipp Pavilion is the fifteenth addition to a growing collection of Vipp guesthouses. Set within a forested landscape in Upstate New York, the project unfolds as a sculptural structure defined by two intersecting geometries.
We spoke with the architects about the ideas shaping the pavilion.
“For Vipp Pavilion, the first big challenge was getting the layout of the structure right according to the different radii of the ellipsis of the plan. This was followed by the finishes – the polish on the concrete floor, the trowel of the stucco, the curve of the flashing – without any trim or moulding, the intersection of walls and material finishes left little margin for error.”
- SHARON JOHNSTON & MARK LEE, THE ARCHITECTS
“For Vipp Pavilion, the first big challenge was getting the layout of the structure right according to the different radii of the ellipsis of the plan. This was followed by the finishes – the polish on the concrete floor, the trowel of the stucco, the curve of the flashing – without any trim or moulding, the intersection of walls and material finishes left little margin for error.”
- SHARON JOHNSTON & MARK LEE, THE ARCHITECTS
Each space is shaped by a curved wall, positioned between landscape and building, expanse and shelter.
Passing inside at the tangent point between the two curves, visitors enter a second elliptical room - a skylit, open space with concrete floors and rough stucco walls, oriented towards views of the pond and surrounding meadow. As you move through the pavilion, perspectives shift continuously, with no single fixed viewpoint.
Each space is shaped by a curved wall, positioned between landscape and building, expanse and shelter.
Passing inside at the tangent point between the two curves, visitors enter a second elliptical room - a skylit, open space with concrete floors and rough stucco walls, oriented towards views of the pond and surrounding meadow. As you move through the pavilion, perspectives shift continuously, with no single, fixed viewpoint.
“The building’s form and materiality create an unexpected atmosphere, inverting the perception of inside and outside. Rough, curved interior walls and a ribbed stucco façade cast rhythmic vertical shadows, contrasting yet harmonizing with the rustic landscape.
The ellipse has multiple centres; as fragments of ellipses, the rooms in the pavilion borrow views from nature to complete their form and unite each space to specific features of the site.”
“The building’s form and materiality create an unexpected atmosphere, inverting the perception of inside and outside. Rough, curved interior walls and a ribbed stucco façade cast rhythmic vertical shadows, contrasting yet harmonizing with the rustic landscape.
The ellipse has multiple centres; as fragments of ellipses, the rooms in the pavilion borrow views from nature to complete their form and unite each space to specific features of the site.”
“Vipp crafted a specific palette for the furniture, lighting, and artwork in response to the pavilion’s architecture and site. Elemental materials are tuned to the hues and textures of the landscape to reinforce the fluidity of space from interior to exterior. The subtly polished aluminum ribs of the V3 kitchen reflect light and echo the ribbed stucco of the exterior walls.”
- SHARON JOHNSTON & MARK LEE, THE ARCHITECTS
“Vipp crafted a specific palette for the furniture, lighting, and artwork in response to the pavilion’s architecture and site. Elemental materials are tuned to the hues and textures of the landscape to reinforce the fluidity of space from interior to exterior. The subtly polished aluminum ribs of the V3 kitchen reflect light and echo the ribbed stucco of the exterior walls.”
- SHARON JOHNSTON & MARK LEE, THE ARCHITECTS
The Vipp pavilion is part of a collection of Johnston Marklee projects with a similar formal language.
The Vipp pavilion is part of a collection of Johnston Marklee projects with a similar formal language.
Vault House Oxnard - Situated on a densely developed Californian beach site Vault House challenges the standard prime, single-view typology by applying a strategy of complex layering of transparent interior spaces. With a series of stacked and unidirectional vaults contained within a simple solid mass, the parallel orientation of the rooms within the house becomes a filter that emphasizes the continuation of the oceanfront view from the beachfront façade to the street.
Pavilion of Six Views - Located along the Huangpu River within the West Bund Art and Architecture Biennale master plan development area, the one story building appears as a singular mass of identically shaped elliptical volumes nested together. The exterior facade is formed with pre-cast white concrete panels, corrugated at the base and smooth at the top. The entries to the building occur at the hinged points where the curved volumes touch.
Menil Drawing Institute Houston - Positioned in the geographic centre of the 30 acre campus, the MDI is adjacent to the Cy Twombly Pavilion and nested among the historic bungalows that make up the fabric of this neighbourhood of art. The design of the MDI honours the legacy of intimacy and direct engagement with art that underlies the domestic and institutional character of the Menil campus.
Explore other projects by Johnnston Marklee
Vault House Oxnard - Situated on a densely developed Californian beach site Vault House challenges the standard prime, single-view typology by applying a strategy of complex layering of transparent interior spaces. With a series of stacked and unidirectional vaults contained within a simple solid mass, the parallel orientation of the rooms within the house becomes a filter that emphasizes the continuation of the oceanfront view from the beachfront façade to the street.
Pavilion of Six Views - Located along the Huangpu River within the West Bund Art and Architecture Biennale master plan development area, the one story building appears as a singular mass of identically shaped elliptical volumes nested together. The exterior facade is formed with pre-cast white concrete panels, corrugated at the base and smooth at the top. The entries to the building occur at the hinged points where the curved volumes touch.
Menil Drawing Institute Houston - Positioned in the geographic centre of the 30 acre campus, the MDI is adjacent to the Cy Twombly Pavilion and nested among the historic bungalows that make up the fabric of this neighbourhood of art. The design of the MDI honours the legacy of intimacy and direct engagement with art that underlies the domestic and institutional character of the Menil campus.
Explore other projects by Johnnston Marklee
“With its sweeping curves and oversized windows drawing in views of the landscape, the pavilion both embraces the site and emerges discreetly from it, with monolithic walls and deep shadows marking the openings.”
- JOHNSTON & MARK LEE, THE ARCHITECTS
“With its sweeping curves and oversized windows drawing in views of the landscape, the pavilion both embraces the site and emerges discreetly from it, with monolithic walls and deep shadows marking the openings.”
- JOHNSTON & MARK LEE, THE ARCHITECTS
The primary materials are ribbed stucco, polished concrete, and wood and aluminum windows. Surfaces range from rough to smooth, matte to reflective.
The primary materials are ribbed stucco, polished concrete, and wood and aluminum windows. Surfaces range from rough to smooth, matte to reflective.
“An autonomous structure that masks a sense of scale, form, or function in contrast with the surroundings as it frames and embraces the skies and forest. The abstract form doesn’t prescribe one’s engagement with the space or interior furnishings, rather each visitor will be able to shape their own experiences. It provides a retreat from the expected and a portal into nature.”
“An autonomous structure that masks a sense of scale, form, or function in contrast with the surroundings as it frames and embraces the skies and forest. The abstract form doesn’t prescribe one’s engagement with the space or interior furnishings, rather each visitor will be able to shape their own experiences. It provides a retreat from the expected and a portal into nature.”
Set within a pastoral meadow, the property is shaped in collaboration with landscape specialists Larry Weaner Landscape Associates, using regional plant species and low-maintenance principles. A green roof seeded with native plants extends the meadow onto the structure.
Set within a pastoral meadow, the property is shaped in collaboration with landscape specialists Larry Weaner Landscape Associates, using regional plant species and low-maintenance principles. A green roof seeded with native plants extends the meadow onto the structure.
“Elemental strategies prioritizing nature take advantage of daylight, thermal mass, and passive ventilation to define the pavilion. Skylights and apertures allow natural light to illuminate the interiors; floor-to-ceiling glass doors and operable windows are positioned for fresh air to flow, while the structure’s thick walls, compact footprint, and green roof insulate the living areas and minimize energy demands year-round.”
“It provides a retreat from the expected and a portal into nature.”
“Elemental strategies prioritizing nature take advantage of daylight, thermal mass, and passive ventilation to define the pavilion. Skylights and apertures allow natural light to illuminate the interiors; floor-to-ceiling glass doors and operable windows are positioned for fresh air to flow, while the structure’s thick walls, compact footprint, and green roof insulate the living areas and minimize energy demands year-round.”
“It provides a retreat from the expected and a portal into nature.”