junya ishigami completes 2019 serpentine pavilion in london

the 2019 serpentine pavilion, the temporary structure erected each year in london’s hyde park, has been unveiled. the pavilion has been designed by junya ishigami — known for his experimental structures that interpret traditional architectural conventions and reflect natural phenomena. ‘my design for the pavilion plays with our perspectives of the built environment against the backdrop of a natural landscape, emphasizing a natural and organic feel as though it had grown out of the lawn, resembling a hill made out of rocks,’ explains the japanese architect.

junya ishigami’s design for the 2019 serpentine pavilion takes inspiration from roofs, the most common architectural feature used around the world. the design is made by arranging slates to create a single canopy roof that appears to emerge from the ground of the surrounding park. within, the interior of the pavilion is an enclosed cave-like space, a refuge for contemplation. for ishigami, the pavilion articulates his ‘free space’ philosophy in which he seeks harmony between man-made structures and those that already exist in nature.

‘this is an attempt to supplement traditional architecture with modern methodologies and concepts, to create in this place an expanse of scenery like never seen before,’ says ishigami. ‘possessing the weighty presence of slate roofs seen around the world, and simultaneously appearing so light it could blow away in the breeze, the cluster of scattered rock levitates, like a billowing piece of fabric.’

ishigami is the 19th architect to accept the invitation to design a temporary pavilion on the serpentine gallery’s lawn in kensington gardens. the commission, which began in 2000 with zaha hadid, has presented the first UK structures by some of the biggest names in international architecture. in 2016, the bjarke ingels-designed pavilion was the most visited architectural and design exhibition in the world. the 2019 serpentine pavilion opens on june 20 and remains in hyde park until october 6, 2019.

since opening, photographer nikhilesh haval has documented the pavilion in 360 degree footage, which you can see here. see designboom’s previous coverage of the 2019 pavilion here.

project info:

name: serpentine pavilion 2019
design: junya ishigami
commissioned by: serpentine gallery
location: kensington gardens, hyde park, london, UK
dates: june 21 – october 6, 2019