SANAA's serpentine gallery pavilion 2009 opens in london

from 12 july until 18 october, 2009, this summer’s serpentine gallery pavilion, designed by kazuyo sejima and ryue nishizawa of SANAA will be open to the public. this is the ninth pavilion in the series and is the architects’ first built project in the UK. separate areas within the pavilion contain spaces for a café and an auditorium, where the park nights events program will be presented, including performances, talks, film screenings and the serpentine gallery poetry marathon.

serpentine gallery pavilion 2009 designed by kazuyo sejima and ryue nishizawa of SANAA, serpentine gallery, london (12 july – 18 october 2009) © 2009 SANAA, photograph © 2009 edmund sumner/VIEW

‘the pavilion is floating aluminum, drifting freely between the trees like smoke,’ explain the architects. ‘the reflective canopy undulates across the site, expanding the park and sky. its appearance changes according to the weather, allowing it to melt into the surroundings. it works as a field of activity with no walls, allowing uninterrupted view across the park and encouraging access from all sides. it is a sheltered extension of the park where people can read, relax and enjoy lovely summer days.’

serpentine gallery pavilion 2009 designed by kazuyo sejima and ryue nishizawa of SANAA, serpentine gallery, london (12 july – 18 october 2009) © SANAA, photograph © 2009 james newton/VIEW