Every year Serpentine Galleries requests the temporary construction of the Serpentine Pavilion to a renowned architect. Not long ago, they announced the person in charge of creating the 2018 Pavilion, which will be open to the public between June 15th and October 7th. In this 18th edition, the famous London art gallery will count on with the help of the Mexican Frida Escobedo to create its star summer space.
The architect chosen for this year is Frida Escobedo
An initiative that began in 2000 with Zaha Hadid and that has gathered year after year some of the most important names in international architecture such as Rem Koolhaas, Peter Zumthor, Sou Fujimoto or Bjarke Ingels.
The person chosen this year, Frida Escobedo, is the youngest architect to lead this project and the first Mexican selected. Her proposal seeks to combine the Mexican architectural tradition with British materials, taking advantage of the Kensington Gardens environment to turn her building into a magical clock.
Frida Escobedo is the youngest architect to design the Serpentine Pavilion. Photo by Cuauhtemoc García
The Escobedo pavilion will have the shape of a closed courtyard, a very common feature of Mexico’s domestic architecture. It will be composed of two rectangular volumes placed at an angle, whose central axis, facing north, refers to the Greenwich Meridian, which crosses the city.
Lattices blur the landscape of Hyde Park
Again referring to the Mexican tradition, the walls become lattices composed of cement tiles that blur the view of Hyde Park, transforming it into a blurry environment with green and blue tones.
Serpentine Pavilion 2018. Atmosphere Rendering
The game between lights and shadows, produced by the change of light that slips through the lattice during the day, is further emphasized by two reflective elements. A triangular pool, located in the center of the pavilion, and a mirrored canopy. That is how Frida incorporates light as a material in her design.
The space will house a café and an extensive program of activities about art, architecture, music, film and dance.
Serpentine Pavilion 2018. Atmosphere Rendering
Latin tradition, British and urban materials and a geometric design. A combination of stories and cultures that blends with the nature of the great London park. The Serpentine Galleries Pavilion 2018, and what it will house during this summer, becomes a must-stop for any trip to the English capital.
The 2018 Serpentine Pavilion will be open every day from 10 am to 6 pm, excluding June 18/19, reopening at 1 pm on June 20th.
