Hurrah for Summer! After a two year wait we were bursting with excitement to see inside the splendid 20th Serpentine Pavilion.
Nestled within the grounds of the Serpentine Gallery, built on a grassy mound, this years creation is inspired by past and present places and the importance of meeting others, organising and belonging across London. Created by African based firm Counterspace and directed by, Sumayya Vally, the youngest (31yrs) architect to be commissioned the larger than expected structure takes inspiration from architectural venues across our city including bookshops, restaurants, and churches representing a real feeling of cross-cultural community.
For the first time ever this years creation will also link to four other fragments scattered across London in the hope that the building will bring inspiration across varying communities. The partner hosts include New Beacon Books in Finsbury Park, The Tabernacle in Notting Hill The Albany in Deptford and the Valence Library in Barking and Dagenham.
Built of reclaimed steel, cork and timber covered with micro-cement the main structure is the palest of pinks with large supporting pillars and a huge circular roof that floats six metres high. Inside you will find shelves, alcoves and pillars plus lots of seating to rest wary legs and shelter (hopefully) from the summer sun. Community Family Days are planned on 24 July and 14 Aug.
Here's to a summer full of happy gatherings with friends and family within the Pavilion walls.
Opens 11 June–17 October
10am–6pm
Julia Colls, 8 June 2021