Marina Tabassum, the principal of Dhaka-based Marina Architects, has been selected as the designer for the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion in London. The Dezeen contribution to the global architectural discourse highlights Tabassum’s unique journey in a field that was only introduced to Bangladesh in 1962, a profession she claims "found" her after her high school exams. Her practice, established in 2005, focuses on being studio-based and research-oriented, with a strong emphasis on environmental consciousness and community engagement. For the Serpentine project, titled "Capsule in Time," Tabassum draws on the themes of ephemerality and temporality that define the constantly reshaping landscape of her home country.
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The pavilion’s design is heavily influenced by the "shamiana," a traditional pavilion form found across the Indian subcontinent that typically uses bamboo structures covered in fabric. Tabassum aims to utilize light as a primary architectural material, capturing the translucent and ethereal quality of a bright London summer day. By opening this archaic form to the elements, the structure maintains a direct connection to the surrounding park, allowing air and light to flow through freely. At the very center of the pavilion sits a ginkgo tree, recognized as one of the oldest and most resilient species still surviving today.
This tree is meticulously aligned with the same axis as the Serpentine Gallery’s bell tower, creating a symbolic link between the temporary installation and the permanent site. As the pavilion nears its conclusion in September and October, the ginkgo’s fan-shaped leaves will turn a vibrant yellow, offering a natural and poetic "bidding farewell" to the structure. Looking toward the future, Tabassum envisions a purposeful "afterlife" for the pavilion, suggesting it be repurposed as a public library. She believes this would be an apt use for the space at a time when access to knowledge and books is being threatened globally. While the "Capsule in Time" itself is temporary, the ginkgo tree will remain in the gardens permanently, ensuring that a living portion of Tabassum’s vision continues to thrive in the park long after the pavilion is gone.
