Tuesday, June 3, 2025
  • About C3
  • Advertising
C3GLOBE
  • Latest
    CYCL

    CYCL

    Sihaon

    Sihaon

    Gitti

    Gitti

    Laderas del Castillo

    Laderas del Castillo

    Danish Architecture Center Hosts the ‘Recycle!’ Exhibition

    Danish Architecture Center Hosts the ‘Recycle!’ Exhibition

    Energia de Portugal Headquarters

    Energia de Portugal Headquarters

    Playgrounds in Jaworek Park in Tychy

    Playgrounds in Jaworek Park in Tychy

    Lostone

    Lostone

    Lee oisoo house

    Lee oisoo house

  • Architecture
    • All
    • Asia
    • China
    • Japan
    • Korea
    • World

    Capsule Hotel and Bookstore in Qinglongwu Village

    Sihaon

    Sihaon

    CYCL

    CYCL

    Laderas del Castillo

    Laderas del Castillo

    Gitti

    Gitti

    F Residence

    F Residence

    Egaligilo Pavilion

    Egaligilo Pavilion

    Energia de Portugal Headquarters

    Energia de Portugal Headquarters

    Playgrounds in Jaworek Park in Tychy

    Playgrounds in Jaworek Park in Tychy

  • Competitions
    • All
    • Call for Entries
    • Results
    BIG Wins International Competition for Hungarian Natural History Museum in Debrecen

    BIG Wins International Competition for Hungarian Natural History Museum in Debrecen

    Six finalists for Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Expansion

    Six finalists for Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Expansion

    Montjuïc Exhibition Center Remodeling – Barcelona Expo 100th Anniversary Competition Result

    Montjuïc Exhibition Center Remodeling – Barcelona Expo 100th Anniversary Competition Result

    Five designs selected for Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design competition

    Five designs selected for Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design competition

    Mextrópoli 2025 Pavilion

    Mextrópoli 2025 Pavilion

    RSHP and TJAD Unveil Plans for Phase 2 of Zhongyuan Convention Center

    RSHP and TJAD Unveil Plans for Phase 2 of Zhongyuan Convention Center

    2024 Skyscraper Competition winners announced

    2024 Skyscraper Competition winners announced

    ‘SIAPLAN + 3XN + MDA’ Consortium wins Chungnam Arts Center International Design Competition

    ‘SIAPLAN + 3XN + MDA’ Consortium wins Chungnam Arts Center International Design Competition

    Sigge Architects wins international competition for Turku’s Museum of History and the Future

    Sigge Architects wins international competition for Turku’s Museum of History and the Future

  • News
    Danish Architecture Center Hosts the ‘Recycle!’ Exhibition

    Danish Architecture Center Hosts the ‘Recycle!’ Exhibition

    ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ exhibition opens in DDP

    ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ exhibition opens in DDP

    For All That Breathes on Earth: Jung Youngsun and Collaborators in Venice

    For All That Breathes on Earth: Jung Youngsun and Collaborators in Venice

    Henning Larsen’s Evolving Bio Pavilion ‘Growing Matter(s)’

    Henning Larsen’s Evolving Bio Pavilion ‘Growing Matter(s)’

    Nexus Seoul Next 100: City Architect Partners Forum

    Nexus Seoul Next 100: City Architect Partners Forum

    Foster + Partners Unveils Design for Manchester United’s New Stadium

    Foster + Partners Unveils Design for Manchester United’s New Stadium

    Nexus Seoul Next 100: City Architect Partners Forum

    Nexus Seoul Next 100: City Architect Partners Forum

    American Architect Ricardo Scofidio Passes Away at 89

    American Architect Ricardo Scofidio Passes Away at 89

    ZHA’s Napoli Porta Est Urban Regeneration Masterplan

    ZHA’s Napoli Porta Est Urban Regeneration Masterplan

  • :
  • C3Magazine
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
    CYCL

    CYCL

    Sihaon

    Sihaon

    Gitti

    Gitti

    Laderas del Castillo

    Laderas del Castillo

    Danish Architecture Center Hosts the ‘Recycle!’ Exhibition

    Danish Architecture Center Hosts the ‘Recycle!’ Exhibition

    Energia de Portugal Headquarters

    Energia de Portugal Headquarters

    Playgrounds in Jaworek Park in Tychy

    Playgrounds in Jaworek Park in Tychy

    Lostone

    Lostone

    Lee oisoo house

    Lee oisoo house

  • Architecture
    • All
    • Asia
    • China
    • Japan
    • Korea
    • World

    Capsule Hotel and Bookstore in Qinglongwu Village

    Sihaon

    Sihaon

    CYCL

    CYCL

    Laderas del Castillo

    Laderas del Castillo

    Gitti

    Gitti

    F Residence

    F Residence

    Egaligilo Pavilion

    Egaligilo Pavilion

    Energia de Portugal Headquarters

    Energia de Portugal Headquarters

    Playgrounds in Jaworek Park in Tychy

    Playgrounds in Jaworek Park in Tychy

  • Competitions
    • All
    • Call for Entries
    • Results
    BIG Wins International Competition for Hungarian Natural History Museum in Debrecen

    BIG Wins International Competition for Hungarian Natural History Museum in Debrecen

    Six finalists for Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Expansion

    Six finalists for Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Expansion

    Montjuïc Exhibition Center Remodeling – Barcelona Expo 100th Anniversary Competition Result

    Montjuïc Exhibition Center Remodeling – Barcelona Expo 100th Anniversary Competition Result

    Five designs selected for Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design competition

    Five designs selected for Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design competition

    Mextrópoli 2025 Pavilion

    Mextrópoli 2025 Pavilion

    RSHP and TJAD Unveil Plans for Phase 2 of Zhongyuan Convention Center

    RSHP and TJAD Unveil Plans for Phase 2 of Zhongyuan Convention Center

    2024 Skyscraper Competition winners announced

    2024 Skyscraper Competition winners announced

    ‘SIAPLAN + 3XN + MDA’ Consortium wins Chungnam Arts Center International Design Competition

    ‘SIAPLAN + 3XN + MDA’ Consortium wins Chungnam Arts Center International Design Competition

    Sigge Architects wins international competition for Turku’s Museum of History and the Future

    Sigge Architects wins international competition for Turku’s Museum of History and the Future

  • News
    Danish Architecture Center Hosts the ‘Recycle!’ Exhibition

    Danish Architecture Center Hosts the ‘Recycle!’ Exhibition

    ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ exhibition opens in DDP

    ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ exhibition opens in DDP

    For All That Breathes on Earth: Jung Youngsun and Collaborators in Venice

    For All That Breathes on Earth: Jung Youngsun and Collaborators in Venice

    Henning Larsen’s Evolving Bio Pavilion ‘Growing Matter(s)’

    Henning Larsen’s Evolving Bio Pavilion ‘Growing Matter(s)’

    Nexus Seoul Next 100: City Architect Partners Forum

    Nexus Seoul Next 100: City Architect Partners Forum

    Foster + Partners Unveils Design for Manchester United’s New Stadium

    Foster + Partners Unveils Design for Manchester United’s New Stadium

    Nexus Seoul Next 100: City Architect Partners Forum

    Nexus Seoul Next 100: City Architect Partners Forum

    American Architect Ricardo Scofidio Passes Away at 89

    American Architect Ricardo Scofidio Passes Away at 89

    ZHA’s Napoli Porta Est Urban Regeneration Masterplan

    ZHA’s Napoli Porta Est Urban Regeneration Masterplan

  • :
  • C3Magazine
No Result
View All Result
C3GLOBE
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Moments in Serpentine Pavilions 2000-2024: Inspiring Public Spaces for All

In the summer of 2000, an extraordinary structure appeared in London‘s Kensington Gardens. This temporary pavilion, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, was erected by the Serpentine Gallery, a contemporary art museum in the park, to host a charity event. Hadid’s innovative design proposed a new kind of public space where people could gather and interact in the heart of the city. Her original concept, which blurred the boundaries between architecture and art, was met with widespread acclaim. Since then, the Serpentine Pavilion has evolved into a signature annual event on the international architectural calendar, inviting global architects without completed works in the UK to create imaginative pavilions on the lawn in front of the gallery. 

Currently on display at the Seoul Museum of Architecture and Urbanism until September 25, Moments in Serpentine Pavilions 2000-2024: Inspiring Public Spaces for All is a special exhibition that reflects on the pavilion’s 23-year journey. 

Upon entering the exhibition, visitors are immediately struck by a translucent netting covering the ceiling. The triangular facets of this design pay homage to Zaha Hadid’s original pavilion, which redefined the traditional concept of a tent. Beneath this structure, the history of the Serpentine Pavilion unfolds, inviting viewers to explore its evolution over the years. 

The exhibition showcases a diverse array of archival materials, including photographs, videos, catalogs, and leaflets. Rather than presenting a simple chronological history, the exhibition emphasizes the unique moments and meanings of each pavilion, posing critical questions about public space. At the intersection of architecture and art, visitors are invited to consider how people use these spaces, how the concept of publicness can be interpreted, and how the role of public space in the city has changed over time.

This year’s pavilion, Archipelagic Void, designed by Minsuk Cho of Mass Studies, breaks from the traditional format. Comprised of five independent structures surrounding a central void, it evokes the courtyard of a traditional Korean house, creating a space for interaction and communication.

“The Serpentine Pavilion is a space that is open to everyone, where people meet, communicate, and create new experiences,” says Heechan Park of Studio Hitch, the exhibition’s curator. He hopes the exhibition will inspire the citizens of Seoul to rethink the possibilities of public space. 

Sustainability is another central theme of the exhibition. Curated by Serpentine Gallery art directors Hans Ulrich Obrist and Heechan Park, the exhibition maximizes the use of local resources. Instead of traditional drawings and models, the exhibition content is presented through photographs and videos, all printed locally in Seoul. The fabric walls, created on-site, use magnets to display the photos, reducing the need for disposable materials. Even the furniture was made from recycled wood sourced from a forest cooperative’s warehouse. 

 



2001-2007

Left: Daniel Libeskind / Eighteen Turns, 2001 – A dynamic composition of angular gold panels, Eighteen Turns created a striking visual connection between the museum and the surrounding park. The structure’s angular forms invited visitors to experience space in a fresh and unconventional way. (©Helen Binnet)
Center: Toyo Ito + Cecil Balmond, 2002 – Composed of intersecting lines forming geometric shapes, this pavilion featured a mix of clear glass and translucent steel panels. The pattern of repetition created a mesmerizing effect in the interior space, giving a sense of infinite depth and flow.
Right: Oscar Niemeyer, 2003 – Elevated 1.5 meters above the ground, Niemeyer’s pavilion connected to the earth via a ramp and staircase. This elegant yet simple design utilized a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, and glass, showcasing Niemeyer’s signature style of lightness and fluidity.
Left: Álvaro Siza + Eduardo Souto de Moura, 2005 – This pavilion features interlocking timber structures, organized into dynamic curved forms on a brick base. The grid-like arrangement of the timber emphasizes the relationship between the natural landscape of the park and the architectural pavilion space. (©James Winspear)
Center: Rem Koolhaas + Cecil Balmond, 2006 – Constructed from polycarbonate, this pavilion’s lower space is crowned by a giant inflatable egg-shaped canopy. The canopy changes size in response to weather conditions and is illuminated from within during the evening, creating a dramatic visual effect. (©Iwan Baan)
Right: Kjetil Thorsen + Olafur Eliasson, 2007 – Emphasizing verticality, this pavilion features a wide spiral ramp that begins on the lawn and encircles the central seating area twice. The result is a twisting, spinning wooden structure that merges movement with architectural form. (©Iwan Baan)

 



2008-2013

Left: Frank Gehry, 2008 – Gehry’s pavilion features a composition of overlapping glass plates supported by four columns and wide wooden beams. At its center lies a versatile seating area, used for casual daytime activities and transformed into a space for discussions and performances in the evening. (©Iwan Baan)
Center: SANAA, 2009 – A graceful, curved aluminum roof hovers over numerous slender metal columns, blending with the surrounding nature. The reflective surface creates an open and airy atmosphere, subtly interacting with its environment at varying heights. (©Iwan Baan)
Right: Jean Nouvel, 2010 – Nouvel’s pavilion is a striking contrast to its surroundings, featuring bold red metal forms, including a 12-meter-high tilted structure. The vibrant red tones create a strong visual impact against the park’s lush greenery. (©John Offenbach)
Left: Peter Zumthor / Hortus Conclusus, 2011 – This pavilion, designed as a refined wooden structure, draws inspiration from the concept of a closed garden. Dutch landscape architect Piet Oudolf envisioned the central garden, providing a serene, contemplative space that feels secluded from the outside world. (©Walter Herfst)
Center: Herzog & de Meuron + Ai Weiwei, 2012 – As a tribute to the pavilions of the past, this structure is partially submerged into the ground, evoking an archaeological feel. The interior, made from cork, is an eco-friendly material that evokes the passage of time and memory. (©Iwan Baan)
Right: Sou Fujimoto, 2013 – Fujimoto’s permeable lattice structure, constructed from delicate 2-centimeter-diameter white steel columns, blends into the park’s landscape like floating clouds. The open framework invites visitors to interact with the space in multiple ways, enhancing its versatility. (©Iwan Baan)

 



2014-2019

Left: Smiljan Radić, 2014 – Radić’s pavilion, resembling a shell, rests delicately on large boulders. The structure creates an ethereal interior and exterior space, offering a light, transparent experience while standing as a striking presence in the park. (©Iwan Baan)
Center: Selgascano, 2015 – This unconventional polygonal pavilion, constructed from layers of multicolored vinyl, invites visitors to experience a range of architectural sensations by combining simple yet dynamic elements. The colorful design engages with light and shadow, offering a playful atmosphere. (©Iwan Baan)
Right: Bjarke Ingels Group / Unzipped Wall, 2016 – Composed of stacked white boxes, the pavilion forms a tunnel-like structure. Visitors can walk through the space to experience the fusion of opposites—openness and enclosure, solidity and void. (©Iwan Baan)
Left: Diébédo Francis Kéré, 2017 – A large, blue wooden wall beneath a canopy welcomes sunlight, creating a shaded space for visitors to gather and share their daily lives. The pavilion embodies Kéré’s focus on community and functionality, offering a welcoming environment in the heart of the park. (©Iwan Baan)
Center: Frida Escobedo, 2018 – Drawing inspiration from traditional Mexican courtyards, Escobedo’s pavilion features dark-colored, stacked tiles. These walls blur the boundary between interior and exterior, transforming the landscape into a shimmering mosaic of greens and blues. (©Iwan Baan)
Right: Junya Ishigami, 2019 – Thin steel columns support overlapping black slabs, creating a cave-like structure that seamlessly blends into the surrounding landscape. The pavilion offers a space of quiet reflection, inviting visitors to pause and contemplate. (©Iwan Baan)

 



2021-2023

Left: Sumayya Vally, 2021 – Vally’s pavilion features an interior crafted from steel, wood, and cork, with fine cement finishes painted in soft pink and brown tones. The tactile textures invite visitors to interact with the space, creating a warm and welcoming environment for connection. (©Iwan Baan)
Center: Theaster Gates / Black Chapel, 2022 – Gates’ cylindrical pavilion, clad in black wood, exudes a contemplative atmosphere. The interior is illuminated by light pouring in from the ceiling, while seven tar paintings further enhance the meditative experience. (©Iwan Baan)
Right: Lina Ghotmeh / A Table, 2023 – Ghotmeh’s pavilion features a large, circular wooden structure filled with natural light and ventilation. Inside, tables are placed to encourage people to gather, fostering interaction and the formation of relationships in a communal setting. (©Iwan Baan)

 



2000, 2024

Left: Zaha Hadid, 2000 – Hadid’s pavilion offers a bold reinterpretation of the traditional tent. Its roof, composed of triangular faces extending to the ground, creates a dynamic and versatile interior space. This innovative design blends solidity with flexibility, providing a transformative architectural experience. (©Helene Binet)
Right: Minsuk Cho / Archipelagic Void, 2024 – Cho’s pavilion features five independent structures surrounding a central void, evoking the “yard” of a traditional Korean house. Constructed from wood and stone, the pavilion harmonizes with its natural surroundings, offering a range of experiences that invite visitors to connect with both nature and each other. (©Iwan Baan)

For those who find the discourse on public space and sustainability a bit heavy, the exhibition also offers a captivating focus on photography. The special moments captured by world-renowned photographers, including Iwan Baan, Helene Binet, and James Winspear, offer a visual journey through the pavilion’s history. Helene Binet’s analog photographs of Zaha Hadid’s 2000 pavilion contrast beautifully with Iwan Baan’s digital images of Minseok Cho’s 2024 pavilion, showcasing the evolution of both architectural photography and technology.

Ultimately, this exhibition invites visitors to rediscover the intrinsic value of the Serpentine Pavilion, serving as a cultural stimulus that redefines the meaning of public space and sparks new ideas for the future. Text by YuMi Hyun, C3 Managing Editor / Photography courtesy of Seoul Urban Architecture Exhibition Center (©Jang Mi), ©C3

Tags: exhibitionMass StudiesMinsuk ChopavilionserpentineSerpentine Pavilion


Related Posts

Danish Architecture Center Hosts the ‘Recycle!’ Exhibition
Latest

Danish Architecture Center Hosts the ‘Recycle!’ Exhibition

The Danish Architecture Center(DAC) is hosting the exhibition 'Recycle!' until September 10, showcasing ways to...

byc3editor
2025-05-21
‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ exhibition opens in DDP
Latest

‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ exhibition opens in DDP

The Seoul Dongdaemun Design Plaza(DDP) is hosting the ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ exhibition, celebrating...

byc3editor
2025-05-14
For All That Breathes on Earth: Jung Youngsun and Collaborators in Venice
Latest

For All That Breathes on Earth: Jung Youngsun and Collaborators in Venice

In May 2025, the work of pioneering Korean landscape architect Jung Youngsun (b. 1941) finds...

byc3editor
2025-05-07
Henning Larsen’s Evolving Bio Pavilion ‘Growing Matter(s)’
Latest

Henning Larsen’s Evolving Bio Pavilion ‘Growing Matter(s)’

Henning Larsen has unveiled ‘Growing Matter(s)’ at Milan Design Week, a pavilion created in collaboration...

byc3editor
2025-04-21
Nexus Seoul Next 100: City Architect Partners Forum
Latest

Nexus Seoul Next 100: City Architect Partners Forum

Seoul Takes First Steps Toward the Next 100 Years On March 21, the Nexus Seoul...

byc3editor
2025-03-30
Foster + Partners Unveils Design for Manchester United’s New Stadium
Latest

Foster + Partners Unveils Design for Manchester United’s New Stadium

Foster + Partners, led by architect Norman Foster, has revealed the design for the new...

byc3editor
2025-03-28
Next Post
The ‘Old’ Chaple

The 'Old' Chaple

  • About C3
  • Advertising
C3GLOBE

© All rights reserved. K-ARCHITECTURE | 18 GongHangDaeRo 2Gil GangSeo-gu Seoul 07622 Korea | Tel_+82 2 2661 1513 | Email_editorial@c3globe.com

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
  • Architecture
    • Asia
    • China
    • Japan
    • Korea
    • World
  • Competitions
    • Call for Entries
    • Results
  • News
  • —
  • About C3
  • Advertising

© All rights reserved. K-ARCHITECTURE | 18 GongHangDaeRo 2Gil GangSeo-gu Seoul 07622 Korea | Tel_+82 2 2661 1513 | Email_editorial@c3globe.com