Serpentine Pavilion and Summer Houses 2016

The Serpentine Architecture Programme expanded for 2016, with four Summer Houses joining the Serpentine Pavilion

Serpentine Pavilion (2016) by Photo © Iwan BaanSerpentine

The Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), was an ‘unzipped wall’ that is transformed from straight line to three-dimensional space.

Serpentine Pavilion (2016) by Photo © Iwan BaanSerpentine

"For the Serpentine Pavilion 2016, we have attempted to design a structure that embodies multiple aspects that are often perceived as opposites: a structure that is free-form yet rigorous; modular yet sculptural; both transparent and opaque; both solid box and blob." Bjarke Ingels

Serpentine Pavilion (2016) by Photo © Iwan BaanSerpentine

Serpentine Pavilion 2016: Bjarke IngelsSerpentine

Queen Caroline's Temple - Photo by Garry KnightSerpentine

Serpentine Summer Houses

In tandem with the 16th Pavilion in 2016, the Serpentine Galleries has expanded its internationally acclaimed programme of exhibiting architecture in a built form by commissioning four architects to each design a 25sqm Summer House. The four Summer Houses are inspired by the nearby Queen Caroline’s Temple, a classical style summer house, built in 1734 and a stone’s throw from the Serpentine Gallery.

Serpentine Summer House (2016) by Photo © Iwan BaanSerpentine

Serpentine Summer Houses 2016: Asif Khan

Asif Khan’s design was inspired by the fact that Queen Caroline’s Temple was positioned in a way that it would allow it to catch the sunlight from The Serpentine lake.

Serpentine Summer House (2016) by Photo © Iwan BaanSerpentine

"The Summer House takes a circular form whose circumference has been unpeeled to connect us and Queen Caroline’s Temple to a picturesque moment left hidden by William Kent almost 300 years ago." Asif Khan

Serpentine Summer Houses 2016: Asif KhanSerpentine

Serpentine Summer House (2016) by Photo © Iwan BaanSerpentine

Serpentine Summer Houses 2016: Barkow Leibinger

Barkow Leibinger were inspired by another, now extinct, 18th Century pavilion also designed by William Kent, which rotated and offered 360 degree views of the Park.

Serpentine Summer House (2016) by Photo © Iwan BaanSerpentine

"We have designed a Summer House in-the-round. Standing free with all its sides visible, and conceived as a series of undulating structural bands, it is reminiscent of a blind contour drawing." Barkow Leibinger

Serpentine Summer Houses 2016: Barkow LeibingerSerpentine

Serpentine Summer House (2016) by Photo © Iwan BaanSerpentine

Serpentine Summer Houses 2016: Kunlé Adeyemi

Kunlé Adeyemi’s Summer House was an inverse replica of Queen Caroline’s Temple - a tribute to its robust form, space and material, recomposed into a new sculptural object.

Serpentine Summer House (2016) by Photo © Iwan BaanSerpentine

"The carved out void, homely interior and fragmented furniture blocks create comfortable spaces for people to eat, rest or play - in and around the house - all through summer." Kunlé Adeyemi

Serpentine Summer Houses 2016: Kunlé AdeyemiSerpentine

Serpentine Summer House (2016) by Photo © Iwan BaanSerpentine

Serpentine Summer Houses 2016: Yona Friedman

Yona Friedman’s Summer House took the form of a modular structure that could be assembled and disassembled in different formations.

Serpentine Summer House (2016) by Photo © Iwan BaanSerpentine

"The Summer House is a modular structure that can be disassembled and assembled in different formations and compositions. In this particular case, it is only the ground level that is accessible to visitors." Yona Friedman

Serpentine Summer Houses 2016: Yona FriedmanSerpentine

Explore the 2016 Serpentine Pavilion by Bjarke Ingels

Credits: Story

Photography © Iwan Baan

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