A Capsule in Time

Marina Tabassum has been announced as the designer for the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion, marking the 25th anniversary of the prestigious architectural commission. Titled A Capsule in Time, the pavilion will be unveiled at Serpentine South in London on June 6th, 2025. Inspired by the transient nature of architecture, the design reflects themes of impermanence, memory, and time, drawing from Tabassum’s experience working in the Bengal Delta, where shifting rivers often necessitate the relocation of homes.

The pavilion consists of four arched timber modules, each encased in translucent panels that diffuse light to create an ethereal atmosphere. The layout frames a central courtyard featuring a tree that aligns with Serpentine South’s bell tower, enhancing the dialogue between the pavilion and its surroundings. A key feature of the structure is its kinetic element—one of the modules will be movable, allowing the space to transform in response to visitors’ interactions.

Tabassum describes the pavilion as a contemporary interpretation of the Shamiyana, a traditional South Asian canopy used for communal gatherings. This influence is evident in the pavilion’s ability to filter light and create an intimate yet open environment for dialogue and engagement. The structure aims to serve as a gathering place, offering a dynamic setting for Serpentine’s experimental and interdisciplinary programs.

Recognized for her socially and environmentally conscious approach, Tabassum has been featured on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of 2024 and was named Architect of the Year at the Dezeen Awards. Her design for the pavilion continues Serpentine’s tradition of pushing architectural boundaries, following past commissions by Zaha Hadid, Minsuk Cho, and Theaster Gates.

Through A Capsule in Time, Tabassum invites visitors to contemplate architecture’s relationship with time, change, and memory, reinforcing the pavilion’s role as a space for cultural exchange and collective experience.