The Serpentine's future is bright (and orange) - just bring a book!

Londoners will be able to contribute to the latest Serpentine Pavilion by helping build up the library that forms part of the new structure.

This year’s project is designed by Korean architect Minsuk Cho and is made up of five structures designed around an open space including the library, a tea house and a play tower inspired by traditional courtyards - called madang - which are found in old Korean houses.

Cho said by putting an open space at the heart of the design he hoped it would “shift our architectural focus away from the built centre of the past” and lead to “new possibilities and narratives”.

The new Serpentine Pavilion (Matt Writtle)

The pavilion will include a sound installation mixing traditional Korean music with sounds captured from nature as well as visitors in Kensington Gardens while the Library of Unread Books is designed as a ‘living reference library’ and visitors are encouraged to submit a book to help grow the collection.

There is also a tea-house built as a nod to the history of the Serpentine South building which opened in 1934 and was a teahouse before re-opening as an art gallery in 1970 as well as an auditorium for performances and talks.

The Serpentine’s chief executive Bettina Korek and its artistic director Hans Ulrich Obrist said the design “pushed the boundaries of creative experimentation with architecture” and would “expand on Serpentine’s evolving history as a site for bringing people together in the park, and our continued mission of building bridges between art and audiences”.

(Matt Writtle)

Previous designers that have worked on the annual temporary pavilion project include Zaha Hadid and Ai Weiwei.

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said this year’s design was “another fantastic example of how art and culture can bring people together, sparking conversations and imaginations”.

She added: “The Mayor and I are proud to see the continued success of the Serpentine’s Summer Pavilion, showcasing the best of international talent here in London, attracting visitors from far and wide, and building a better London for all.”