The Serpentine Pavilion, an architectural spectacle in Kensington Gardens, has become a platform for innovative and thought-provoking designs over the years. This year, the spotlight is on Lanza Atelier, a Mexico City-based studio with a unique approach to materials and spatial design.
What immediately catches the eye is the pavilion's serpentine-inspired crinkle-crankle wall, a wavy structure made of rust-colored bricks. This design choice, a nod to the Serpentine pond and the surrounding park, challenges conventional notions of walls.
"Walls have been associated with division and negativity lately, especially with the controversial US-Mexico border wall," says Isabel Abascal, co-founder of Lanza Atelier. "Our wall aims to attract and unite, creating a gathering space rather than a barrier."
The crinkle-crankle wall, a historical feature in rural Suffolk, England, and also found in ancient Egyptian civilizations, offers more than just aesthetics. Its sinusoidal form provides inherent structural stability, requiring only a single layer of bricks. This elegant use of materials is a testament to the designers' understanding of geometry and their ability to create a robust yet aesthetically pleasing structure.
"The concept of 'gentle geometry' is at the heart of our design," explains Alessandro Arienzo, Abascal's partner. "The undulating form responds to the movement of people, creating an ever-changing experience."
The pavilion's interior is bathed in cool shade, thanks to a flat glass roof supported by a steel grid with fixed louvres. The simplicity of the design is a refreshing contrast to some of the more elaborate pavilions of the past.
"The use of brick is a bold choice for a temporary structure," comments Abascal. "But the standard-sized bricks, manufactured in Surrey, are transformed by our design, becoming a subtle yet powerful element."
The bricks, set without mortar and threaded through reinforcing bars, create a unique texture, resembling a woven fabric. This unconventional approach adds to the pavilion's charm and showcases the designers' skill in reimagining familiar materials.
"Brick, an ordinary building block, becomes extraordinary when approached with creativity," says Arienzo, echoing Frank Lloyd Wright's famous quote. "It's a material that has stood the test of time, and we're thrilled to showcase its potential in a new light."
The Lanza Atelier pavilion is a refreshing take on architectural design, offering a unique blend of history, innovation, and a thoughtful reinterpretation of a humble building material. It's a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of art, design, and social commentary.
