Marina Tabassum’s 2025 Serpentine Pavilion opened in London recently. The 2025 Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum, has opened to the public in London’s Kensington Gardens, Titled “A Capsule in Time,” this 25th edition of the Serpentine Pavilion series marks a significant milestone in the architectural program. Tabassum’s design reflects themes of impermanence, memory, and time, drawing from her experience working in the Bengal Delta.
The pavilion’s structure is composed of four wooden capsule forms with a translucent faรงade that diffuses and dapples light when entering the space. One of the capsule forms is able to move, connect, and transform the pavilion into a new space, showcasing its kinetic dimension. Built from glue-laminated timber arches with lateral steel members, the pavilion blends seamlessly into the parkland setting. The interior features built-in bookshelves holding a curated collection of books spanning Bengali literature, poetry, philosophy, ecology, and social history.ยน ยฒ
“A Capsule in Time” invites visitors to contemplate architecture’s relationship with time, change, and memory, reinforcing the pavilion’s role as a space for cultural exchange and collective experience. Tabassum envisions the pavilion as a sanctuary for dialogue, encouraging understanding and shared experiences. The design is inspired by the traditional South Asian canopy, known as Shamiyana, used for communal gatherings, and creates an intimate yet open environment for dialogue and engagement.
Image Courtesy: architecturalrecord.com
