The Serpentine Pavilion has been home to groundbreaking architectural experiments since 2000, and 2025 will be no exception. Marina Tabassum, the visionary Bangladeshi architect, is bringing her unique design philosophy to London with A Capsule in Time. This marks the first time her firm, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA), will take over this prestigious commission. The Pavilion will open to the public on 6 June 2025, running until 26 October 2025, with a press view set for 3 June.
A Capsule in Time: A Bold New Pavilion Design
Marina Tabassum’s approach to architecture is deeply connected to place, history, and climate. A Capsule in Time will embody that ethos by blending contemporary design with traditional South Asian influences. Inspired by Shamiyana tents—temporary structures used for gatherings across South Asia—the Pavilion will feature an open, kinetic structure designed to invite conversation, contemplation, and connection.
Set in Serpentine South, the Pavilion’s elongated shape aligns with the venue’s bell tower, creating a direct link between history and innovation. The structure will be made of four wooden capsule forms, each with a translucent façade that allows light to filter through, evoking the feeling of being under a tree canopy. A moving capsule will add a dynamic element, shifting the Pavilion’s space to accommodate different gatherings, performances, and events.
Architecture Rooted in Climate and Community
Tabassum’s architectural career has been defined by a deep commitment to socially and environmentally responsible design. Her Khudi Bari project—modular homes designed for people living in climate-vulnerable areas of Bangladesh—showcases how architecture can respond to both urgent human needs and environmental changes.
For the Serpentine Pavilion 2025, Tabassum continues this dialogue between permanence and impermanence. In Bangladesh, where entire villages relocate due to shifting river paths, architecture is a memory, a fleeting moment in time. A Capsule in Time captures that philosophy, offering a temporary yet powerful space for reflection and creativity.
Serpentine Pavilion’s Legacy of Architectural Innovation
Since its inception, the Serpentine Pavilion has introduced UK audiences to world-class architects, many of whom have gone on to shape global architecture. Previous Pavilion designers include Dame Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas, Bjarke Ingels, and Francis Kéré.
Tabassum’s A Capsule in Time will mark 25 years of the Serpentine Pavilion commission, following in the footsteps of these architectural giants. The Pavilion will serve as a platform for Serpentine’s Park Nights, an interdisciplinary series featuring music, theatre, dance, literature, and technology.
A Vision for the Future
Marina Tabassum describes A Capsule in Time as a reflection on the relationship between architecture and time. “The Serpentine Pavilion offers a unique platform under the summer sun to unite as people rich in diversity,” she explains. The space is designed not just as a structure but as an experience—a place where people come together, exchange ideas, and explore the intersections of architecture, history, and human connection.
Serpentine’s Chief Executive Bettina Korek and Artistic Director Hans Ulrich Obrist describe the project as a celebration of community and sustainability. “Built around a mature tree at its centre, A Capsule in Time will bring the park inside the Pavilion,” they explain. “Its kinetic design will recall the floating structures of past Serpentine Pavilions while offering a fresh perspective on the relationship between architecture and nature.”
A Legacy of Experimentation
Marina Tabassum’s selection as the Serpentine Pavilion 2025 architect is a milestone moment for the commission. Her work embodies the spirit of innovation, sustainability, and cultural storytelling that has made the Pavilion a must-visit for architects and art lovers alike. As Dame Zaha Hadid once said, “There should be no end to experimentation,” and A Capsule in Time promises to continue that legacy.
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 opens on 6 June 2025 at Serpentine South and runs until 26 October 2025. A press preview will be held on 3 June.
