Overview
Architecture studio Lanza Atelier has developed the design for the 2026 Serpentine Pavilion, integrating design elements informed by the history of the Serpentine Pavilion series. The studio, known for its experimental methodology in architectural projects, discussed their approach in a video interview produced by Dezeen.
Research Context
The Serpentine Pavilion project serves as a platform for architectural expression, traditionally inviting an architect who has not yet completed a building in England to create a temporary structure. Lanza Atelier's participation in this series positions their work within a lineage of previous pavilion designs.
Approach
Lanza Atelier’s design process for the 2026 Serpentine Pavilion explicitly considered the historical context of the pavilion series. This historical consideration led to the incorporation of "crinkle-crankle" walls into the design. The studio maintains a perspective that architecture operates across multiple scales, which influences their work on diverse project types including pavilions, furniture, and residential buildings.
"Architecture, I think, exists in every scale for us – it has the"
Findings
- Lanza Atelier's 2026 Serpentine Pavilion design utilizes "crinkle-crankle" walls.
- The inclusion of "crinkle-crankle" walls is a direct result of referencing the historical precedent of the Serpentine Pavilion.
- The studio's design philosophy encompasses architectural projects varying in scale, including pavilions, furniture, and residential designs.
Why This Matters
The explicit incorporation of historical design elements, such as "crinkle-crankle" walls, demonstrates Lanza Atelier's engagement with the architectural legacy of the Serpentine Pavilion. This approach reflects a studio methodology that views architecture as a multi-scalar discipline, applicable across different project types and scales.