BIG reveals first images of 2016 serpentine gallery pavilion

BIG reveals first images of their 2016 serpentine gallery pavilion
all images courtesy of bjarke ingels group / serpentine galleries

bjarke ingels group (BIG) have unveiled the initial images detailing their design for this year’s serpentine pavilion. created as an ‘unzipped wall’ that is transformed from straight line to a three-dimensional space, the distinctive structure will host a café during the day, and at night, transform into a space for the serpentine’s acclaimed park nights program of performances from artists, writers and musicians.

the pavilion’s structure will explore the concept of ‘opposites’; creating a form that is fluid yet rigorous; modular yet sculptural and simultaneously appear transparent and opaque. fiberglass frames will be stacked on top of each other to establish the sculptural form, while the wall is pulled apart to form the cavity and convey its ‘unzipped’ appearance.

the unzipped wall will create a cave-like space illuminated through the fiberglass frames and the other transparent materials used. the pavilion will visualize differently depending on the way people move around and through it. the north-south elevation will appear as a rectangle, while the east-west a undulating silhouette, and ultimately the structure will become a dynamic beacon situated in london’s hyde park.

‘we decided to work with one of the most basic elements of architecture: the brick wall. rather than clay bricks or stone blocks, the wall is erected from extruded fiberglass frames stacked on top of each other.’ – bjarke ingels, BIG

‘we are delighted to reveal the designs for our expanded architecture programme.’ comments julia peyton-jones, director, and hans ulrich obrist, co-director serpentine galleries ‘as you can see from the architect’s renders, bjarke ingels has responded to the brief for a multi-purpose pavilion with a supremely elegant structure that is both curvaceous wall and soaring spire, that will surely serve as a beacon – drawing visitors across hyde park and kensington gardens to visit the pavilion, the summer houses and our major exhibitions by alex katz and etel adnan.’