The architecture firm LANZA atelier, founded in Mexico City in 2015 by Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo, has been selected to design the 25th temporary pavilion for London's Serpentine Gallery. Titled ‘A Serpentine’, it will officially open on June 6 and remain visitable through 25 October in London's Kensington Gardens.

The design takes the form of a snaking red brick wall, which is structurally efficient: the curving geometry provides greater stability with less material, requiring fewer bricks than a straight wall. It establishes a dialogue with both the tradition of English gardens and the nearby Serpentine, a winding lake.

Built with simple clay bricks, the pavilion pays homage to vernacular craftsmanship and the facade of the Serpentine South Gallery. The structure is divided into two parts: a sheltered space with a transparent roof supported by brick columns that evoke a grove, and an outdoor gathering area defined by a winding bench. This configuration allows light and air to circulate, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior.

The 2026 Serpentine Pavilion marks the 25th anniversary of the program, which began in 2000 with Zaha Hadid. To celebrate this, the Serpentine will collaborate with the Zaha Hadid Foundation on a special series of talks and activities. LANZA atelier is the second Mexican studio to design the Serpentine Pavilion, following Frida Escobedo in 2018.