jiakun architects to build first foreign serpentine pavilion in beijing

modeled on the annual pavilion commission in london’s royal park of kensington gardens, the serpentine galleries (london) and WF CENTRAL (beijing) have announced a major international collaboration: a new architecture pavilion designed by JIAKUN architects at the WF CENTRAL development in beijing. the inaugural serpentine pavilion beijing will launch in may 2018 in beijing’s dongcheng district, just 600 meters away from the historic forbidden city.

the design is characterized by the figure of an archer with a curved cantilever beam and cables stretched between steel plates
render of the serpentine pavilion beijing 2018, design by jiakun architects, © jiakun architects

sited in a bustling area known for its cultural and commercial activities since the middle of the ming dynasty, the serpentine pavilion beijing will be a public space for cultural activities, events and social encounters. responding to the brief of designing a world-class temporary serpentine pavilion, chinese practice JIAKUN architects has taken into consideration both the historic and social context of beijing and the 17-year history of the pavilion commission.

the inaugural serpentine pavilion beijing will launch in may 2018 in the dongcheng district
render of the serpentine pavilion beijing 2018, design by jiakun architects, © jiakun architects

focusing on society, community and a respect for local context and vernacular craftsmanship, liu jiakun aims to address contemporary architectural issues with a sense of realism, an approach inspired by folk wisdom. the serpentine pavilion beijing references confucianism, with an architecture that is a physical representation of the traditional pursuit of junzi. the design is characterized by the figure of an archer, in the form of a curved cantilever beam that incorporates the forces of elasticity through cables stretched between steel plates.

the inaugural serpentine pavilion beijing will be in place at the WF CENTRAL for six months
render of the serpentine pavilion beijing 2018, design by jiakun architects, © jiakun architects

it aims to be a public space for cultural activities, events and social encounters
render of the serpentine pavilion beijing 2018, design by jiakun architects, © jiakun architects