The Documentary Podcast Marina Tabassum: Designing London's Serpentine Pavilion
Jul 28, 2025
Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum, renowned for her innovative designs in a climate-challenged country, shares her vision for the 25th Serpentine Pavilion. Inspired by her childhood memories of Shamiyana awnings, she discusses how the pavilion fosters community engagement and inclusivity. Marina delves into the creative process behind the design, balancing aesthetics with structural integrity, and highlights the serene atmosphere intended to connect visitors with nature. Her work symbolizes resilience and offers a tranquil space in the heart of London.
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Childhood Weddings Inspire Design
- Marina recalls large, colorful South Asian Shamiana tents from family weddings as a vivid childhood memory.
- This inspired her to create a pavilion in London's Kensington Gardens that evokes that same communal spirit and light play.
Light Creates Spiritual Space
- The pavilion's translucent panels create an ethereal space where light dances, evoking spirituality and musicality.
- Marina draws on her experience designing mosques to incorporate a sense of sanctuary and light as a material.
Design with Experience in Mind
- Before designing, engage deeply with site and end users to envision how spaces will be experienced.
- Focus on the emotional and experiential journey people will have, not just the building's external appearance.