Summer has arrived in London, and with it the annual parade of events and openings. The Chelsea Flower Show is behind us and Wimbledon is ahead, but this week the city’s attention is on Hyde Park. Why? It’s the opening of the annual Serpentine Pavilion in London.

Serpentine Pavilion in London

Serpentine Pavilion in London

Every summer since 2000, the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park has invited an architect to create her or his first built structure in England.

The Serpentine Pavilion acts as a cafe and free seating area for the public by day, and an event space for performance artists by night.

Serpentine Pavilion London

I’ve gone to see it every year since moving to London, and have always loved discovering what international architects create for the space.

Serpentine Pavilion in London

Serpentine Pavilion

And one year was particularly special. First, the Serpentine Pavilion was designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), an architecture firm my cousin worked for in New York.

She was in town for the opening, and it was great to hear all about the pavilion and its design from her.

Serpentine Pavilion London

Second, the Serpentine Pavilion in London is funded entirely through sponsorship, in-kind support, and the sale of the pavilion structure.

That year one of the supporters was Goldman Sachs, my former employer. Say what you will about the firm—I’ve heard it all—but I’m happy they’ve supported the arts (among many other causes) over the years.

Serpentine Summer Houses

Third, there was an exciting new development alongside the Serpentine Pavilion in London that year: the Summer Houses.

Four architects—Yona Friedman, Asif Khan, Kunle Adeyemi, and Barkow Leibinger—designed structures inspired by Queen Caroline’s Temple, a classical-style 18th-century building that sits in Kensington Gardens next to the Serpentine Gallery.

Queen Caroline's Temple, London

Each architect took a different approach, resulting in four very different Summer Houses surrounding the original.

Serpentine Summer Houses

I went to the press preview, getting a guided tour of BIG’s Serpentine Pavilion from my cousin and a chance to see the Summer Houses up close before they opened to the public.

Bjarke Ingels

I also got to hear the architects speak about their work. I particularly liked the way Yona Friedman described architecture as “sculpture with an inside”.

Yona Friedman

I also loved the pavilion, which was created to resemble an “unzipped” wall. The opening had a cathedral-like feel that lifted the eyes to the sky, while the hollow fiberglass rectangles allowed plenty of soft, natural light inside.

It was the perfect place to take shelter on a summer afternoon, rain or shine.

Serpentine Pavilion London

Serpentine Summer Houses

Over at the Summer Houses, I fell in love with Asif Khan’s work. He created a circular line of timber staves inspired by the position of Queen Caroline’s Temple to capture the sun on The Serpentine lake.

Serpentine Summer Houses

I also enjoyed the way Kunle Adeyemi’s house captured the view of the temple and acted as an inverse model of it.

Serpentine Summer Houses

Above all, I liked that the concept of the pavilion and Summer Houses once again brought architecture into London’s parks in a way that both inspired and served as a functional place to sit, rest, relax, and soak up the city’s green spaces.

Serpentine Pavilions in the Future

I can’t wait to see what future Serpentine Pavilions in London bring. If you’re in London between early June and early October, I highly recommend a visit.

Serpentine Summer Houses

What do you think of the Serpentine Pavilion in London? And the Summer Houses?

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Serpentine Pavilion in London

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