22.10.2024

Architecture

Serpentine Pavilion 2024 opens in London

Mass Studies

Mass Studies

South Korean architect Minsuk Cho and his office Mass Studies have delivered this year’s design.

The Serpentine Pavilion in London’s Kensington Gardens has been open to all visitors since June 7, 2024. As every year, the name of the architect was eagerly awaited: Who will design this year’s pavilion? There have already been 23 of these illustrious garden houses: it all started with Zaha Hadid’s design in 2000 and continued with an impressive line-up of big names such as Toyo Ito, Oscar Niemeyer, Alvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura, Rem Koolhaas and Bjarke Ingels. Last year, the French-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh erected a wonderfully practical, round wooden structure on the lawn in front of the Serpentine Art Gallery. “À table ” not only offered thirsty park visitors shade, but also drinks and a snack.

This year, architect Minsuk Cho from Seoul and his firm Mass Studies surprised park visitors with his lightweight structure. The building offers an opportunity to get to know the architects’ way of thinking, which is rather unknown here in Europe. As every year, an architect with a penchant for the artistic who has never built in the UK before has been selected. After completing his studies, Minsuk Cho opened an office in New York before returning to Seoul. However, his name has also appeared several times in connection with the Korean pavilion at the Architecture Biennale in Venice.

Serpentine Pavilion, London, 2024
Mass Studies/Photo: Iwan Baan/Serpentine
Mass Studies/Photo: Iwan Baan/Serpentine
Mass Studies/Photo: Iwan Baan/Serpentine
Mass Studies/Photo: Iwan Baan/Serpentine
Mass Studies/Photo: Iwan Baan/Serpentine

Serpentine pavilion in 23rd version

It is now open to the public: its title is “Archipelagic Void” and it consists of five “islands” grouped around an open space. According to the office, this central open space is modeled on the “madang”, a small courtyard typical of old Korean houses, where everyday life takes place as well as larger family gatherings. Around it are five small, covered areas such as a gallery, a tea house, an event room, a playground and a library.

23rd Serpentine Pavilion, June 7 to October 27, 2024, Kensington Gardens, London

M
Köpfe
Minsuk Cho
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