10 Serpentine Pavilion Designs Gracing Kensington Gardens in the Past Decade

On the occasion of Minsuk Cho's presentation of another architectural wonder—the Serpentine Pavilion's latest addition, Archipelagic Void—we take a look at the pinnacle of the architectural commission in the last decade at the Kensington Gardens.

Established in the year 2000, the Serpentine Pavilion is an architectural marquee organized through the Serpentine Gallery; the park is decorated with pavilions from June to October annually.

Smiljan Radić (2014)

Chilean architect Smiljan Radić captivated visitors with a cylindrical structure of translucent fiberglass walls atop quarry stones, offering interior exploration and an open courtyard experience.

SelgasCano (2015)

Spanish studio SelgasCano brought color to Kensington Gardens with a bulbous pavilion featuring metal arches draped in vibrant double-layered plastic. The pavilion created multiple entry points to a central gathering space.

Bjarke Ingels (2016)

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels introduced translucent blocks that formed curving walls converging at the top, blending opacity with transparency depending on the viewing angle and creating a cavernous interior.

Diébédo Francis Kéré (2017)

Burkinabe architect Diébédo Francis Kéré's pavilion celebrated sustainability with indigo-colored walls and a tilted canopy designed to funnel rainwater into a central courtyard, promoting natural irrigation.

Frida Escobedo (2018)

Mexican architect Frida Escobedo made history as the first solo woman since Zaha Hadid to lead the project. She crafted a courtyard enclosed by lattice walls, complemented by a mirrored ceiling and a reflective pool.

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Junya Ishigami (2019)

Japanese architect Junya Ishigami's pavilion, covered in Cumbrian slate, mimicked a natural hill with a forest-like arrangement of slender steel columns, offering a contemplative space amid the park.

Counterspace (2021)

In 2021, South African studio Counterspace introduced a geometric pavilion made of CNC-cut plywood coated in pink and grey micro-cement, inspired by London's diverse meeting spaces and migrant communities.

Theaster Gates (2022)

Chicago artist Theaster Gates collaborated with Adjaye Associates to create the Black Chapel, a cylindrical pavilion with a blackened timber structure and oculus that evokes the tranquility of chapels.

Lina Ghotmeh (2023)

Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh's À Table pavilion featured a pleated Birch plywood roof and wooden screens adorned with leaf-like perforations, housing scallop-shaped tables under a large oculus for communal gatherings.

Minsuk Cho (2024)

The latest addition, Archipelagic Void by Minsuk Cho, draws inspiration from Korean courtyard houses. It features a star-shaped design with separate structures surrounding a central circular space, offering venues like an auditorium and café covered in vibrant orange netting.

Each Serpentine Pavilion over the past decade has redefined temporary architecture and enriched Kensington Gardens with cultural significance, offering visitors unique spaces for contemplation, interaction, and celebration of architectural diversity. As the tradition continues, these pavilions are testaments to the creative spirit shaping our urban landscapes.

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