The 2026 Serpentine Pavilion (London) is built on a deceptively simple idea: a wall. Designed by Mexico City based practice LANZA Atelier and officially titled ‘a serpentine’, the pavilion is a refined take on the traditional English crinkle-crankle wall as a winding brick structure that snakes across Kensington Gardens. The wall though simple, creates a series of sheltered and open spaces for gathering, pause and meditation. Inspired by the nearby Serpentine Lake, the pavilion marks the 25th edition of the renowned annual commission.
An abiding design requirement of the annual pavilion design commission is that the designs production must be frugal. Aligned with the design requirement and reflective of the historical context, traditionally serpentine walls were developed as an economical building technique, using their curved geometry to achieve structural stability with fewer bricks than a straight wall. LANZA Atelier extends this logic into a contemporary context, creating an architecture that feels generous without being extravagant. The pavilion is constructed from approximately 26,000 locally sourced bricks and assembled using a system that can be dismantled and reused, the pavilion embraces impermanence, frugality and sustainability. The beauty of the design lies in forgoing expensive finishes to accentuate richness through repetition, craft and form. The quietness of a serpentine offers a place to slow down and simply be.
