Pavilion Living, Architecture, Patronage, and Well-Being, looks at the architecture of three recently completed pavilions by Peter Zimmerman Architects on the gardens of a large private house on Philadelphia's Main Line, and the associated characteristics that accompany these beautifully conceived and carefully built structures. Located on a portion of what was once the extensive property of the Ardrossan Estate, an early 20th-century Georgian Revival mansion by Horace Trumbauer, the new pavilions accompany one of the next generation of houses that can now be seen on the rolling hills of the historic manor.
The owners who commissioned the pavilions have taken on the responsibility of maintaining the land and character of the property as serious patrons of art, architecture, and landscape. Yet these new buildings also enhance the landscape, providing richer experiences in closer connection to nature, celebrating in fresh and harmonious ways the property's extraordinary history and the family's desire to enjoy the simple pleasures of life outdoors. To be sure, Pavilion Living is a story that encompasses architecture, patronage, and the art of benessere (well-being) with the aim of serving designers and homeowners seeking similar solutions to meaningful outdoor living.