The Serpentine announced that, in tandem with the 16th summer Pavilion, it expands its internationally acclaimed programme of exhibiting architecture in a built form by commissioning four architects to each design a 25 sqm Summer House.

Cover image: Serpentine Pavilion 2016, by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG);

Design render © Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)

The 16th Serpentine Pavilion designed by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group (Copenhagen/New York).

The four Summer Houses are inspired by the nearby Queen Caroline’s Temple, a classical style Summer house, built in 1734 and a stone’s throw from the Serpentine Gallery.

The Serpentine Summer Houses, sited one minute’s walk from the Serpentine Gallery, will complement the world-famous Pavilion commission on the Gallery’s lawn by offering visitors an unrivalled, first-hand experience of contemporary architecture by leading international architects from across the generations, within the historic parkland of Kensington Gardens.

above: Queen Caroline’s Temple, Kensington Gardens, London; Photo by Garry Knight.

In line with the criteria for the selection of the Pavilion architect, each architect chosen by the Serpentine has yet to build a permanent building in England.

The four Summer Houses are designed by:

Kunlé Adeyemi – NLÉ (Amsterdam/Lagos)

Barkow Leibinger (Berlin/New York)

Yona Friedman (Paris)

Asif Khan (London)

above: Serpentine Summer House 2016 designed by Kunlé Adeyemi – NLÉ;

Design render © NLÉ

Above: Serpentine Summer House 2016 designed by Barkow Leibinger;

Design render © Barkow Leibinger



above: Serpentine Summer House 2016 designed by Yona Friedman;

Design render © AECOM

above: Serpentine Summer House 2016 designed by Asif Khan;

Architectural model © Asif Khan

Serpentine Pavilion History : selgascano, 2015; Smiljan Radić, 2014; Sou Fujimoto, 2013; Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei, 2012; Peter Zumthor, 2011; Jean Nouvel, 2010; Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, SANAA, 2009; Frank Gehry, 2008; Olafur Eliasson and Kjetil Thorsen, 2007; Rem Koolhaas and Cecil Balmond, with Arup, 2006; Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura with Cecil Balmond, Arup, 2005; MVRDV with Arup, 2004 (unrealised); Oscar Niemeyer, 2003; Toyo Ito and Cecil Balmond – with Arup, 2002; Daniel Libeskind with Arup, 2001; and Zaha Hadid, 2000.

Images courtesy of http://www.serpentinegalleries.org/