The esteemed Serpentine Pavilion, a beacon of architectural innovation, will once again grace London's Kensington Gardens in 2026, this time under the creative vision of Mexico's LANZA atelier. Founded by the talented duo Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo, their proposal, aptly named 'a serpentine', promises a structure that marries historical ingenuity with contemporary design, setting the stage for the 25th anniversary of this celebrated architectural series.
LANZA Atelier's "a serpentine" Pavilion: A Fusion of History and Modernity for Serpentine's 25th Edition
In a significant announcement coinciding with the Serpentine Pavilion's quarter-century milestone, Mexican architecture firm LANZA atelier, under the leadership of Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo, has been commissioned to conceptualize the 2026 edition. Slated to open its doors to the public on June 6, 2026, at Serpentine South within London’s picturesque Kensington Gardens, the pavilion, christened 'a serpentine', takes its foundational inspiration from the ancient crinkle-crankle wall. This distinctive English architectural feature, characterized by its undulating curves, offers inherent structural integrity, permitting a single-brick thickness while maintaining robust strength. The selection of LANZA atelier for this prestigious project also marks a special collaboration with the Zaha Hadid Foundation, aiming to reflect upon the enduring legacy of the inaugural pavilion designed by the legendary Zaha Hadid in the year 2000.
LANZA atelier's design positions the pavilion strategically on the northern expanse of the site, articulated by two principal walls. One gracefully echoes the serpentine geometry, while the other harmonizes with the existing arboreal canopy. A delicate, translucent roof is poised atop brick columns, creating an illusion reminiscent of a tranquil grove, facilitating the unhindered flow of light and air throughout the structure. Brick, as the chosen primary material, pays homage to both the quintessential English garden heritage and the venerable brick facade of the adjacent Serpentine South Gallery. Through a meticulous rhythmic arrangement, the brick columns transition from solid to permeable, crafting an inviting gradient of openness. The architects envision this material approach as a symbolic bridge, connecting European and American vernacular traditions through shared construction principles, rather than overt symbolic gestures. As described by the architectural pair, the project functions as 'a device that both reveals and withholds', subtly guiding visitors' movement through the space. They draw an intriguing parallel to England's historical fruit walls, which ingeniously manipulated microclimates to foster sheltered environments. From this rich lineage, a pavilion emerges, meticulously crafted from humble clay brick, underscoring what the architects term 'the elemental capacity of architecture to bring people together'.
Since its inception, the Serpentine Pavilion has been a vibrant arena for architectural experimentation, providing a unique platform for architects to realize their innovative concepts in an accessible public setting. Over the years, this commission has evolved beyond a singular structure, transforming into a dynamic cultural infrastructure that hosts an array of lectures, performances, screenings, and interdisciplinary gatherings. Bettina Korek, CEO of Serpentine, aptly characterizes the Pavilion as an entity transcending its physical form, fostering profound connections among people, the surrounding landscape, and groundbreaking ideas. Artistic director Hans Ulrich Obrist underscores the institution's recent emphasis on supporting emerging talents, highlighting LANZA atelier's work as deeply rooted in material, context, and the human experience. Their forthcoming pavilion, he notes, is conceived as a 'content machine', poised to host a diverse program of live events throughout the summer and autumn seasons.
The 2026 installment will further incorporate a dedicated architectural program, meticulously developed in conjunction with the Zaha Hadid Foundation. This initiative is designed to commemorate Hadid's indelible legacy while nurturing transnational and intergenerational dialogues surrounding critical contemporary architectural discourse. Esteemed former Pavilion architects will be invited to contribute, thereby weaving the rich tapestry of the Pavilion's past into its promising future trajectories.
The selection of LANZA atelier for the 2026 Serpentine Pavilion underscores a commitment to innovative architectural thought and cross-cultural dialogue. Their design, inspired by the enduring elegance and structural wisdom of the crinkle-crankle wall, promises to be more than just a temporary structure; it will be a thoughtful intervention that engages with its historical context while looking forward. The Pavilion’s role as a platform for open-access experimentation and cultural programming continues to grow, enriching public life and pushing the boundaries of architectural practice. This upcoming edition, with its focus on brick, climate interaction, and material narratives, exemplifies how architecture can facilitate connection and inspire new ways of experiencing space.