Every summer, the Serpentine Pavilion transforms Kensington Gardens into a temporary architectural laboratory. For its 2025 edition, Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum was invited to design a new structure. Her project, A Capsule in TimeHe draws inspiration from the architectural traditions of his country. Between light and matter, he reimagines space as a place for encounter and memory. An immersive experience where architecture becomes movement.
A place of architectural innovation
The Serpentine Pavilion is a London institution. Located in the heart of Kensington Gardens , it hosts a temporary structure designed by a renowned architect each year. Created in 2000 under the impetus of Dame Zaha Hadid , this project has become a global benchmark.
Each edition is an invitation to push the boundaries of architecture. In 2025, Marina Tabassum takes up this challenge with an approach inspired by nature and light. Her pavilion, conceived as a space in motion, follows in the footsteps of previous works while introducing a new sensory dimension.
Who is Marina Tabassum?
Little known in Europe, Marina Tabassum is a major figure in socially conscious architecture. Founder of Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA) , she works towards architecture that respects its environment and its inhabitants.
She became known for the Bait ur Rouf Mosque , a project that won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2016. Her work is based on a humanist approach: instead of building monumental buildings, she favours structures adapted to local needs.
In 2020, she launched the Khudi Bari project , a series of modular houses designed for populations living on the banks of the Ganges delta. These dwellings are transportable and can be moved in the event of rising water levels.
A pavilion inspired by tradition
With A Capsule in Time , Marina Tabassum explores the relationship between permanence and impermanence . Her pavilion is inspired by Shamiyana tents , used in South Asia during major celebrations. As the architect explains:
"The relationship between time and architecture is fascinating: from birth to age and ruin, architecture aspires to survive time."
The central element of the project consists of four wooden capsules , surrounded by a translucent facade that filters the light. One of the capsules will be mobile, creating a modular space that can be adapted to events and visitor interactions.
This flexibility is reminiscent of Rem Koolhaas and Cecil Balmond 's experiments for the 2006 pavilion, which defied gravity with a floating structure. Here, Marina Tabassum proposes a new way of inhabiting space, where light and movement play a key role.
A dialogue between nature and architecture
The pavilion's placement blends seamlessly into the Kensington Gardens landscape . An existing tree will be preserved at the center of the structure, reinforcing the connection between the built space and its natural surroundings.
This pavilion is more than just an architectural feat. It will be a vibrant space, hosting performances, debates, and gatherings throughout the summer. Its aim is to create an open environment conducive to exchange and new experiences.
An architectural heritage in constant evolution
For 25 years, the Serpentine Pavilion has offered a showcase for emerging architectural talents. From Bjarke Ingels to Diébédo Francis Kéré , each edition pushes the boundaries of design and functionality.
Marina Tabassum's project follows in this tradition. More than a pavilion, A Capsule in Time is a reflection on architecture and its relationship to time. In a changing world, where cities must rethink their approach to construction, this project offers a committed and sustainable vision.
A place for meetings and performances
From its inauguration on June 6, 2025 , the pavilion will become the venue for Park Nights , a program blending music, art, literature, and discussions . True to the experimental spirit of the Serpentine Gallery , this space will serve as a platform for cultural exchange and artistic encounters.
