Serpentine Pavilion 2025

Marina Tabassum has been selected as the architect for the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion in London. The Bangladeshi architect and her firm Marina Tabassum Architects will be the 24th designers of the Serpentine Pavilion, an annual event that began with Zaha Hadid’s commission in 2000.

Titled 'A Capsule in Time,' the pavilion will open on June 6th, 2025. Building on Tabassum's contemporary architectural approach rooted in place, climate, culture, and history, the design of the pavilion seeks to create a dialogue between permanence and ephemerality. The design features four wooden capsule forms with translucent façades, inspired by park traditions and arched garden canopies, which filter light to create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. A central court aligns with Serpentine South’s bell tower, anchoring the design to its surroundings.

A key feature of the pavilion is its kinetic element, with one of the capsules capable of moving and connecting, transforming the structure into a flexible space. Drawing on the heritage of South Asian Shamiyana tents, the pavilion highlights the "sensory and spiritual possibilities of architecture" through a play on light and shadow, inviting visitors to engage in conversations, live programs, and public gatherings.