The Chilean architect Smiljan Radiać designed the 14th “Serpentine Pavilion” in Hyde park, London. The semi-translucent, cylindrical structure occupies 350 square meters on large quarry stones outside the entrance of Serpentine gallery.
Courtesy of © John Offenbach.
Visitors are invited to visit the flexible, multi-purpose social space and the café inside to interact with the structure as it will be used to form a stage for the park’s nights series with eight site-specific functions bringing together art, poetry, music, film, literature and theory. The Serpentine pavilion is open to the public between Thursday, 26th June 2014 and Sunday, 19th October 2014.
Courtesy of © John Offenbach.
“The unusual shape and sensual qualities of the Pavilion have a strong physical impact on the visitor, especially juxtaposed with the classical architecture of the Serpentine Gallery. From the outside, visitors see a fragile shell in the shape of a hoop suspended on large quarry stones. Appearing as if they had always been part of the landscape, these stones are used as supports, giving the pavilion both a physical weight and an outer structure characterised by lightness and fragility. The shell, which is white, translucent and made of fibreglass, contains an interior that is organised around an empty patio at ground level, creating the sensation that the entire volume is floating.
Courtesy of © John Offenbach.
The simultaneously enclosed and open volumes of the structure explore the relationship between the surrounding Kensington Gardens and the interior of the Pavilion. The floor is grey wooden decking, as if the interior were a terrace rather than a protected interior space. At night, the semi-transparency of the shell, together with a soft amber-tinted light, draws the attention of passers-by like lamps attracting moths”.
Courtesy of © John Offenbach.
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.