The first photographs of Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum‘s lightweight timber Serpentine Pavilion in London have been revealed.

Designed to mark the 25th anniversary of the annual commission, the pavilion is set to open to the public outside the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens on Friday 6 June.

The first images of 2025 Serpentine Pavilion have been revealed

Named A Capsule in Time, the pavilion is made entirely from wood with two arched structures placed on either side of a central courtyard that contains a single tree.

Held within the timber frame are translucent panels, which filter in light in a way that is reminiscent of a tree canopy.

“One atmospheric idea that we wanted to bring into this pavilion is the translucency and the ethereal quality of light,” Tabassum told Dezeen in an exclusive video interview published last week.

“Light, to me, is a very important material in architecture.”

This year’s Serpentine Pavilion was designed by Marina Tabassum

In the video, Tabassum, who was named architect of the year at the 2024 Dezeen Awards, explained how the pavilion’s design was informed by ceremonial tents found across the Indian subcontinent.

“As a child, I have memories of being in these structures, where you can see light coming through,” she said. “It was constantly reminding me of shamianas.”

This year is the 25th anniversary of the first Serpentine Pavilion, which was designed by Zaha Hadid. Last year, architect Minsuk Cho created a star-shaped shelter for the event, while Lina Ghotmeh imagined the 2023 Serpentine Pavilion as “an invitation to dwell together”.

To mark the anniversary, this year will also see the creation of a children’s pavilion along with the main 2025 Serpentine Pavilion. The playful pavilion by British architect Peter Cook, which will incorporate Lego bricks, will open to the public next week.

The photography is by Iwan Baan.

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