The 23rd Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Korean architect Minsuk Cho and his firm Mass Studies, has now opened to the public in London’s Serpentine South gardens.
The pavilion, titled Archipelagic Void, features five structures or “islands” centred around a singular circular void. These islands form a constellation-like arrangement with the natural environment to thrive and flourish in the spaces between. The concept for the central void was inspired by a “madang,” which is a small courtyard found in traditional Korean houses.
Serpentine Pavilion 2024, Archipelagic Void, designed by Minsuk Cho, Mass Studies.
Image:
Iwan Baan, courtesy of Serpentine
Each of the structures have been individually named to accommodate a particular use, such as the Gallery, the Library, the Auditorium, the Tea House and the Play Tower. The Gallery houses a sound installation produced by composer Jang Young-Gyu; the Library conceived by artist Heman Chong and archivist Renée Staal functions as a living reference library; the Tea House designed by James Grey West honours the Serpentine South’s historical role as a tea pavilion; the Auditorium accommodates events, performances and talks, and lastly, the Play Tower features a pyramid-shaped form fitted with an orange netscape that encourages visitors to climb, play and interact. The Auditorium is the largest of the five islands.
To find out more about the pavilion, visit the Serpentine website.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
