Serpentine Pavilion 2025 image taken from the Serpetine Gallery website.
The Serpentine Pavilion is an annual architectural commission hosted by the Serpentine Galleries in London’s Kensington Gardens. Each summer since 2000, a different world-renowned architect or studio—often someone who has not yet built in the UK—is invited to design a temporary pavilion on the gallery’s lawn, this year is its 25th anniversary.
The 2025 Serpentine Pavilion, titled A Capsule in Time, is a captivating architectural installation by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum and her firm, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA). Open from 6 June to 26 October 2025, the Pavilion is situated South in Kensington Gardens, London, and is free to the public.
About the Pavilion
A Capsule in Time is an elongated, capsule-like structure aligned along a north-south axis, featuring a central courtyard that aligns with Serpentine South’s historic bell tower. The design comprises four wooden sculptural forms enveloped in a translucent façade, creating a play of dappled light reminiscent of sunlight filtering through foliage. One of the capsule forms is kinetic, capable of movement to transform the Pavilion’s spatial configuration .
Central to the Pavilion is a semi-mature Ginkgo tree, symbolizing resilience and continuity. This tree not only anchors the structure but also reflects Tabassum’s emphasis on integrating nature within architectural spaces .
About the Architect
Marina Tabassum, born in Dhaka in 1969, is renowned for her climate-conscious and socially engaged architectural practice. She founded MTA in 2005 and has been recognized globally for projects that harmonize contemporary design with cultural and environmental contexts. Her work often explores themes of impermanence, light, and community engagement .
Events and Programming
The Pavilion will host a series of events throughout the summer, including:
- Architect’s Talk: On 6 June at 16:30, Marina Tabassum will be in conversation with Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director of Serpentine, discussing the inspiration and design of the Pavilion .
- Saturday Talks: Free guided tours led by Exhibitions Curator Chris Bayley, providing insights into the Pavilion’s design and context.
- Family Day: On 19 July, a day of hands-on activities and creative workshops inspired by the Pavilion .
For more information and updates, visit the Serpentine Galleries website.