LANZA atelier's 2026 Serpentine Pavilion: A Modern Interpretation of Ancient Brickwork
"A Serpentine": Redefining Public Spaces Through Ancient Wisdom
The Concept: Drawing Inspiration from the Crinkle-Crankle Wall
LANZA atelier's journey into the Serpentine Pavilion project began with a serendipitous discovery. The design team became fascinated by the historical crinkle-crankle wall, an English architectural feature that shares its name with the nearby Serpentine lake and galleries. This ancient construction method, characterized by its wave-like form, offers exceptional structural stability using fewer materials than a straight wall. The architects were particularly captivated by the practical intelligence and visual elegance of this technique, which originated in Ancient Egypt and was later adopted in England.
Brickwork Reimagined: Permeability and Grace in Construction
Brick plays a pivotal role in the pavilion's design, acting as both a structural element and a conceptual driver. While bricks typically signify durability and solid enclosures, LANZA atelier employs them in a manner that defies these expectations. The designers aim to showcase artisanal building practices as enduring solutions for contemporary challenges. They describe their brick walls as permeable and gracefully structured, deliberately contrasting with the idea of monolithic, impenetrable barriers. This approach not only honors traditional craftsmanship but also highlights the potential for brick to create open and inviting spaces.
Structural Ingenuity: Achieving More with Less
The architects underscore the inherent efficiency of the serpentine wall's design. Its sinuous shape provides lateral support, allowing for a single-brick-wide structure to possess remarkable strength. This design requires less material compared to a conventional straight wall, a principle that resonates deeply with today's imperative for sustainable and resource-conscious construction. Historically, these walls have served practical functions, such as fruit walls in agricultural settings, which absorb and radiate warmth to support plant growth. This concept of maximizing utility while minimizing resources is a core tenet of LANZA atelier's design philosophy for the pavilion.
A Symbolic Connection: Serpentine's Multifaceted Meaning
The term 'serpentine' holds profound significance for the architects, extending beyond its structural application. They find a magical convergence in the word's ability to denote a body of water, a specific location, and an architectural element. This layered meaning is especially powerful given the symbolic importance of serpents in Mesoamerican cosmologies, a cultural context deeply familiar to the Mexican duo. For the first time, the Serpentine Pavilion explicitly revolves around the very concept embedded in its name, creating a rich narrative link between the structure and its surroundings.
Spatial Ambiguity: Blurring the Lines Between Inside and Outside
The pavilion's design masterfully translates these inspirations into a structure that feels both ancient and distinctly modern. Situated on the northern edge of the site, it features curving brick walls and a translucent canopy supported by a series of columns. This arrangement establishes a visual dialogue with the surrounding trees and the brick facade of the Serpentine South Gallery. The walls, rather than being solid, are composed of slender brick columns with narrow gaps, allowing visitors to see through them and creating a sense of visual connection across different parts of the space. This innovative use of material fosters a fluid boundary between the pavilion's interior and exterior, encouraging interaction and discovery. The material consistency extends to integrated furniture, where brick forms seating and a cafe counter, emphasizing the studio's commitment to exploring a single material's full potential.
Enclosure's Evolving Nature: A Dynamic Interaction with Environment
A translucent roof, constructed from a steel grid, polycarbonate panels, and Eco-Bau fabric fins, filters natural light throughout the pavilion. This blend of traditional craftsmanship with advanced technological materials creates a compelling contrast. This interplay of robustness and airiness contributes to the pavilion's most salient characteristic: its spatial ambiguity. The architects aim for a design that does not impose a fixed condition but constantly shifts between moments of privacy and openness, inviting visitors to experience the space dynamically. Extending beyond its covered sections, the pavilion includes a curved brick bench on the lawn's southern edge, with half of the structure open to the sky, further promoting exploration and movement.
Fostering Encounters: Architecture as a Catalyst for Connection
The design team believes that true architecture remains incomplete without the presence and interaction of its users. They pose a fundamental question: how can architecture facilitate more meaningful social connections? For Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo, architecture's role is not to dictate behavior but to create an environment where spontaneous encounters can flourish. 'a serpentine' is envisioned as a flexible framework for collective experiences, set to host diverse events, from performances and workshops to conversations and family activities, throughout the summer and autumn months.
Beauty in Utility: An Intelligent Response to Design Challenges
The architects' definition of beauty is intrinsically linked to utility and intelligent design. In an era often dominated by performance metrics, they argue that beauty is not separate from efficiency but often emerges from a thoughtful response to materials, climate, structure, and intended use. The serpentine wall itself stands as a prime example of this philosophy: its curved geometry uses fewer bricks, offers greater structural stability, and creates an aesthetically engaging space. This exemplifies their vision of beauty.
The Legacy of Innovation: Contributing to Architectural Discourse
The location of the pavilion within Kensington Gardens prompted reflections on the relationship between the structure and its idyllic surroundings. The architects explored the ancient Persian origins of 'paradise,' deriving a concept not merely of a walled garden, but 'the place that happens around a wall.' This perspective positions the pavilion as a catalyst for social and spatial vitality. The architects are eager to observe the unpredictable ways visitors will inhabit the space, celebrating the ability of architecture to host the unforeseen. Isabel Abascal expressed excitement about the public's interaction, while Alessandro Arienzo anticipates a strong resonance with the specific use of brick. As the 25th Serpentine Pavilion, 'a serpentine' adds its unique voice to a quarter-century of architectural experimentation, forming a "collage of the architecture of the first quarter of the 21st century." The atelier hopes their design encourages the global architectural community to embrace the cleverness of the serpentine wall—achieving greater strength and stability with fewer materials through unexpected forms—and envisions a future for architecture that champions efficiency, generosity, and collective experience.