Bangladeshi architect and educator Marina Tabassum and her firm, Marina Tabassum Architects, have been revealed as the designers of the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion.
The 2025 pavilion, titled A Capsule in Time, will be unveiled at the Serpentine South Gallery in London on 6 June 2025. True to its name, the form of the pavilion resembles a capsule with its mass broken up into four portions that each take on a tunnel or semi-dome shape. A facade made of timber and a translucent material offers a dynamic experience for visitors, enabling shadow play from both exterior and interior angles. An open-air courtyard is positioned at the centre of these four elements, offering a reprieve from shelter.
A standout aspect of the design is a kinetic feature: one of the portions can slide to connect and disconnect, effectively transforming the pavilion into a new space. This dynamic feature and the fabric facade are both inspired by the architectural language of Shamiyana tents and awnings commonly seen in South Asia, which are similarly kinetic in function and feature an external fabric that is supported by bamboo poles. These traditional South Asian structures are typically erected for outdoor gatherings and celebrations.
Reflecting on the design of the pavilion, Tabassum said, "The archaic volume of a half capsule, generated by geometry and wrapped in light semi-transparent material will create a play of filtered light that will pierce through the structure as if under a Shamiyana at a Bengali wedding. The Serpentine Pavilion offers a unique platform under the summer sun to unite as people rich in diversity. The stage is set, the seats are placed. We envision various events and encounters taking place in this versatile space that unifies people through conversations and connections."
This year's pavilion was selected by a jury comprising Serpentine's CEO Bettina Korek, artist director Hans Ulrich Obrist, director of construction and special projects Julie Burnell, exhibitions curator Chris Bayley, curator at large of architecture and site-specific projects, Natalia Grabowska and assistant exhibitions curator Alexa Chow, together with advisors Sou Fujimoto and David Glover.
Tabassum is an acclaimed architect and educator who has received numerous international recognitions in the field of architecture. Her practice Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA) was founded in Bangladesh in 2005. The studio prioritises the integration of research and education by conducting extensive studies on the effects of climate change in Bangladesh - working closely with geographers, landscape architects, planners and other related professionals.
The pavilion will be open to the public from 6 June 2025 until 26 October 2025.
