Architectural Cases

Lanza Atelier, a Mexican architectural firm, has been commissioned to design the prestigious Serpentine Pavilion, marking a significant milestone for the studio and for contemporary Mexican architecture. Founded by Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo in Mexico City in 2015, the firm is celebrated for its commitment to experimental design and its expansive portfolio that encompasses diverse projects from art installations to public infrastructure. This appointment not only acknowledges their distinctive approach but also underscores a dynamic shift in the global architectural landscape, bringing Mexican innovation to the forefront. Their work is characterized by a deep engagement with each project's unique context, leveraging every opportunity to push creative and conceptual boundaries, a strategy that impressed the Serpentine Gallery.

The duo’s design philosophy emphasizes intensive research and a hands-on, workshop-like method, treating each commission as a vehicle for exploration rather than merely a task to be completed. This dedication to uncovering the full potential of materials and contexts is what sets them apart. For the Serpentine Pavilion, Lanza Atelier plans to honor traditional English garden aesthetics by incorporating a crinkle-crankle wall, a design that is both historically resonant and structurally efficient. This choice reflects their broader interest in highlighting 'vernacular construction wisdom' and promoting resource-conscious design. The pavilion will ingeniously divide space into an indoor area and an external gathering spot, challenging previous pavilion designs that often overlooked the surrounding garden environment, thus enhancing visitor interaction with both the structure and its natural setting.

Lanza Atelier's Innovative Path to the Serpentine Pavilion

Lanza Atelier, a prominent architectural practice based in Mexico City, recently gained international recognition as the chosen designer for the annual Serpentine Pavilion. This selection is seen as a testament to a new wave of Mexican architecture that prioritizes exploration and innovation. Founders Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo expressed surprise and excitement at the commission, noting that their studio's experimental nature and varied project history were key factors. From designing public bathrooms that challenged social norms to creating exhibitions with demountable furniture, their firm consistently seeks opportunities to transcend conventional architectural boundaries. This approach has positioned them as significant contributors to the architectural discourse, both in Mexico and on the global stage.

The journey of Lanza Atelier from its inception in 2015 to securing the Serpentine Pavilion commission highlights their commitment to a research-driven and conceptual design process. Abascal and Arienzo view every project, regardless of its scale, as a chance to delve into new concepts and learn from specific contexts. Their portfolio, featuring projects like a house in Cancun and a pavilion in a Mexico City shopping center, demonstrates their ability to transform diverse challenges into innovative architectural solutions. This philosophy ensures that each design not only meets functional requirements but also serves as a platform for material investigation and conceptual advancement, making their work both intellectually rigorous and visually compelling. Their success reflects a broader trend of Mexican architects embracing bold, forward-thinking practices.

Embracing Experimentation and Context in Design

The core of Lanza Atelier's design ethos revolves around rigorous experimentation and a deep respect for context, principles vividly demonstrated in their approach to the Serpentine Pavilion. The duo's decision to base the pavilion's design on the crinkle-crankle wall, a structure renowned for its stability and material efficiency, serves as a metaphor for their commitment to sustainable and thoughtful design. This choice not only pays homage to English architectural traditions but also underscores a critical global concern for resource management. By focusing on a single material and exploring its full potential, Lanza Atelier challenges conventional construction methods and encourages a fresh perspective on material utilization, moving beyond superficial aesthetics to embrace inherent structural and environmental advantages.

Furthermore, Lanza Atelier's design for the Serpentine Pavilion consciously re-evaluates the relationship between the structure and its environment. Unlike previous pavilions that often acted as singular focal points, their design aims to integrate the pavilion more seamlessly into the surrounding Kensington Gardens. By creating distinct indoor and outdoor spaces, framed by a welcoming bench, they encourage greater interaction with the garden, transforming formerly 'residual' areas into integral parts of the visitor experience. This thoughtful consideration of external space and contextual engagement reflects the firm's broader collaborative spirit and its roots in the vibrant, international architectural scene of Mexico City. Their work embodies a dynamic interplay of local wisdom and global architectural innovation, reflecting a 'workshop' mentality where discovery and surprise are celebrated.

Lanza Atelier, a distinguished Mexican architectural firm, has recently revealed its innovative design for the 2026 Serpentine Pavilion. This highly anticipated structure, dubbed "A Serpentine," reinterprets the classic English garden wall with a contemporary twist. The pavilion aims to blend historical architectural elements with modern design principles, promising a unique visitor experience within London's iconic Kensington Gardens.

Lanza Atelier's "A Serpentine" Pavilion to Grace Kensington Gardens in 2026

In a significant announcement for the architectural world, Mexican studio Lanza Atelier has officially released the conceptual renderings for its 2026 Serpentine Pavilion. Set to be unveiled in London's picturesque Kensington Gardens, adjacent to the esteemed Serpentine Gallery, this captivating structure will be accessible to the public from the golden hues of June 6 through the crisp air of October 25, 2026. The pavilion, aptly christened "A Serpentine," draws profound inspiration from the distinctive serpentine, or crinkle-crankle, brick walls commonly found gracing English gardens. These historical walls, celebrated for their wave-like form and structural ingenuity, require fewer bricks than their straight counterparts while maintaining superior stability. The design by Lanza Atelier, co-founded by Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo in Mexico City in 2015, meticulously mirrors this unique brickwork, paying homage to both ancient Egyptian origins—where these walls first appeared—and their subsequent introduction to England by Dutch engineers. The proposed pavilion is envisioned as a dual-component masterpiece: one section will house a primary enclosed space, sheltered by a transparent roof, inviting visitors to gather and reflect. The second component will feature an expansive outdoor area, thoughtfully delineated by a winding brick bench, encouraging communal interaction and repose. This architectural endeavor not only references the historical significance of the serpentine wall but also respectfully echoes the distinctive red brick facade of the Serpentine South Gallery. Lanza Atelier expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the pavilion's esteemed legacy of experimental design and fostering communal encounters, envisioning the structure as a device that orchestrates movement, modulates rhythm, and frames moments of contemplation. Serpentine Gallery's artistic director, Hans Ulrich Obrist, lauded Lanza Atelier for their deep engagement with local contexts, materials, and lived experiences, affirming the pavilion's role as a vibrant hub for lectures, film screenings, and performances. This marks the 25th iteration of the Serpentine Pavilion, a tradition initiated in 2000 by the pioneering Zaha Hadid, whose spirit of experimentation continues to guide the program.

This year's Serpentine Pavilion design by Lanza Atelier offers a compelling blend of historical reverence and forward-thinking architectural philosophy. It reminds us that innovation often springs from reinterpreting the past and that even the simplest materials, like brick, can be transformed into works of profound beauty and purpose. The pavilion's focus on creating spaces for community and reflection underscores the enduring human need for connection and shared experiences within our built environment.