The Serpentine Pavilion, a summer staple in Kensington Gardens, has once again transformed into a captivating architectural masterpiece. This year, the honor goes to Lanza Atelier, a Mexico City-based studio, whose design is a delightful fusion of tradition and innovation. The centerpiece of their creation is a crinkle-crankle wall, a technical marvel with a rich history.
What makes this structure truly remarkable is its ability to challenge our perceptions of walls. Often associated with division and separation, this design is a refreshing take on the traditional wall. Lanza Atelier's interpretation of the crinkle-crankle wall is a literal and playful nod to its origins, drawing inspiration from Dutch engineering techniques used in the 17th century to drain the marshes of the Fens. The term itself, with its onomatopoeic quality, adds a layer of whimsy to the design.
But it's not just about the aesthetics. The crinkle-crankle wall is a testament to the studio's understanding of structural integrity and climate control. By utilizing a curvilinear form, the wall inherently stabilizes the structure, eliminating the need for additional buttressing. This design choice not only showcases their technical prowess but also their respect for the environment, as the south-facing side of the wall catches the sun, providing warmth for the cultivation of fruit trees and extending the growing season.
Lanza Atelier's approach to the Serpentine Pavilion is a celebration of simplicity and logic. The structure is topped with a flat glass roof, supported by a steel grid, and inset with fixed louvres to manage the summer heat. The only hint of drama is a row of glittering lights along the top of the crinkle-crankle wall, adding a touch of glamour to the overall design.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this project is the use of brick, a material often associated with permanence and earthiness. Lanza Atelier challenges this perception by employing standard-sized bricks, manufactured in Surrey, and setting them without mortar joints. The bricks are threaded through reinforcing bars, creating a unique texture and making the pavilion's dismantling process efficient and waste-free.
The design's textural interest is further enhanced by the unconventional placement of the bricks, with the ribbed sides facing outwards, resembling a woven textile. This attention to detail extends to the neighboring Serpentine South Gallery, a 1930s parkland pavilion, and the wider South Kensington area, known for its Victorian brick mansion blocks and the iconic Royal Albert Hall.
Lanza Atelier's work with the Serpentine Pavilion is a testament to their ability to reinterpret familiar materials and forms. By subverting the traditional wall, they have created a structure that attracts and gathers people, challenging the notion that walls are inherently divisive. The use of brick, a material with a rich history and cultural significance, adds a layer of depth to the design, sparking curiosity and a sense of wonder.
In the words of Frank Lloyd Wright, 'A brick is a small, ordinary, worthless thing that costs 11 cents, but give me a brick and it becomes worth its weight in gold.' Lanza Atelier's Serpentine Pavilion embodies this sentiment, transforming a simple brick into a captivating architectural wonder. Their design not only showcases their technical skills but also their ability to challenge conventions, making the Serpentine Pavilion a must-see summer attraction.
