Johnston Marklee Designs Vipp Pavilion in Upstate New York, a Reflective Retreat
In the tranquil landscape of Lumberland, New York, renowned architecture firm Johnston Marklee has unveiled the Vipp Pavilion, a groundbreaking guesthouse for the Danish furniture and design brand Vipp. This marks Vipp's inaugural purpose-built structure in the United States, meticulously designed to serve as both a visitor retreat and a curated showroom for the brand's distinguished collection. Perched gracefully on the edge of a serene pond, two hours from the bustling heart of New York City, the pavilion's design masterfully integrates with its natural surroundings, offering a distinctive blend of architectural innovation and immersive experience.
The pavilion's striking form, which Johnston Marklee co-founder Sharon Johnston likens to a 'stone in a pond,' features a telescopic structure that extends outwards, drawing the eye towards the expansive water views. Its architectural blueprint is characterized by two interlocking ellipses that ingeniously mirror the contours of the adjacent pond, fostering a deep connection between the built environment and its natural setting. Clad in a nuanced griege stucco, both ribbed and smooth, the 1,200-square-foot (111-square-meter) edifice stands out against the dense forest backdrop, yet its edges soften into the landscape with a verdant green roof, a thoughtful design element by Larry Weaner Landscape Associates.
Entry to the pavilion is through two imposing portals on the side opposite the lake, leading into a semi-circular gravel courtyard that guides visitors' gazes upward. A smooth wall in this courtyard, accented by a small semi-circular eave above a wooden door, introduces a sense of quiet grandeur. Beyond this, a wood-paneled hallway ushers guests into the main living areas, where the elliptical interior forms converge. Bedrooms, each featuring dual-aspect windows created by strategic facade cutaways, branch off, ensuring privacy and ample natural light. Skylights further illuminate the bedrooms and a single bathroom, which boasts a rich ochre-painted interior, complementing the Sapele wood casework found throughout the bedrooms.
The central living space is dominated by a freestanding anodized-aluminum V3 kitchen by Vipp, positioned beneath another skylight. Its ribbed texture subtly echoes the exterior stucco, seamlessly blending the interior design with the building's shell. This kitchen unit orchestrates the flow of the room, which features one semicircular wall meeting the bedrooms and entry, and a rectangular aspect that frames the lake. The interior is thoughtfully furnished with light-colored Vipp pieces, including swivel chairs encircling a travertine table, all set against a dramatic floor-to-ceiling window wall that opens onto a covered patio, maximizing the telescopic effect and views.
The collaboration between Johnston Marklee and Vipp aimed to not only display the furniture but also to craft an architectural experience that encourages personal interpretation. Sharon Johnston emphasizes that the pavilion's abstract form invites guests to shape their own interactions with the space and its furnishings, offering a refuge from the conventional and a gateway to nature. This pavilion is a significant addition to Vipp's global network of guesthouses, representing its first foray into the American market and joining other distinctive locations like the Cold Hawaii guesthouse in Denmark and a rammed-earth structure in Todos Santos, Mexico.
The Vipp Pavilion by Johnston Marklee transcends mere accommodation, presenting itself as a meticulously crafted retreat that harmonizes with its environment. Its innovative design, characterized by elliptical forms, strategic use of light, and a seamless integration of interior and exterior elements, creates a unique and tranquil experience. The project not only highlights Vipp's furniture collection within an architectural context but also establishes a new benchmark for experiential design, inviting visitors to engage with both art and nature in a profound and personal way.