The pavilion, which will be re-erected each year, is made from a limited palette of materials - timber, fabric and steel - and will combine transparency and lightness with a sense of intimacy. Lifted above the ground to give an appearance of 'floating' over the landscape, architect Robin Snell's design takes its cue from a traditional Japanese pavilion in its use of sliding screens, extended platforms, verandas and bridges to link it to the landscape.
Unusual Rigging, a regular supplier to Garsington Opera, has won the contract to coordinate the detailed design, procure specialist suppliers and to construct and commission the Pavilion to the architect's design. Unusual is also developing a storage system to provide for a 15-year life span for the Pavilion, with minimum requirement for annual maintenance.
To enable the move to Wormsley Estate, Garsington Opera recently launched a fundraising appeal to raise £3m towards its relocation. Two-thirds of this target has now been reached from its supporters and friends.
Earlier this year Garsington Opera reached agreement with Mark Getty to hold the festival at the Wormsley Estate from the summer of 2011.
Anthony Whitworth-Jones, general director of Garsington Opera said, "We are thrilled to say that we have just commissioned the new pavilion designed to our own specification. Our architect Robin Snell has created a very beautiful structure. It is also extremely heartening that our supporters and friends have enabled us to proceed through their generous gifts to our appeal. Without their support we would not be able to move, although there is still some way to go before we reach our target of £3m."
(Jim Evans)
