A lot of people comparing Sanaa’s pavillion with Niemeyer’s Ibirapuera marquise( built in the 40 s). Actually a similar solution for a similar challenge: dwelling from the sun, rain, while integrating with a beautiful surrounding park The difference here appears to be not only the scale but also the approach to the briefing itself. Ibirapuera marquise is enormous, when compared to Sanna’s pavillion when you are under it, you feel quite protected, but also separated from the park (it has always intrigued me a lot) the park looks like far away and, moreover, framed by the concrete structure the so perused by modern architecture integration with nature, kind of say ok, nature is beautiful but lets keep it outside , or nature is beautiful, lets frame it then.. . and that’s exactly what Sanaa’s pavillion will not do. It is basically the same solution, but the 21st century approach for the integration with nature issue is quite different it will hardly protect those bellow it from the usual bad weather of the Londoner summer, and will still play with your senses, by creating reflections, distorted images, etc kind of borrowing the real trees, moan, and even the real visitors to create a new virtual, intangible park experience.Simplicity, purity, etc has always linked the work of Niemeyer to those of Japanese and maybe, Scandinavian architects and designers. The great goal of this year’s pavillion in my opinion, is to show up such kind of architecture in Europe today, when most of the architects are deeply seduced by the personalism, this strange ego trip and the media need of creating star architects, star designers, star musicians, star chefs, star dogs, stars, stars, stars . when the true architecture is actually more than that, or lets say it better, architecture is less than that.

Describing their structure the architects say: ‘The Pavilion is floating aluminium, drifting freely between the trees like smoke. The reflective canopy undulates across the site, expanding the park and sky. Its appearance changes according to the weather, allowing it to melt into the surroundings. It works as a field of activity with no walls, allowing uninterrupted view across the park and encouraging access from all sides. It is a sheltered extension of the park where people can read, relax and enjoy lovely summer days.’

Sejima and Nishizawa have created a stunning Pavilion that resembles a reflective cloud or a floating pool of water, sitting atop a series of delicate columns. The metal roof structure varies in height, wrapping itself around the trees in the park, reaching up towards the sky and sweeping down almost to the ground in various places. Open and ephemeral in structure, its reflective materials make it sit seamlessly within the natural environment, reflecting both the park and sky around it.

The Pavilion will be the architects’ first built structure in the UK and the ninth commission in the Gallery’s annual series of Pavilions, the world’s first and most ambitious architectural programme of its kind that annually gives preeminent architects their debut in this country and brings the best of contemporary architecture to London for everyone to enjoy.

There is no budget for the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion commission. It is paid for by sponsorship, sponsorship help-in-kind, and the sale of the finished structure through Knight Frank, which does not cover more than 40% of its cost. The Serpentine Gallery collaborates with a range of companies and individuals whose support makes it possible to realise the Pavilion.

Julia Peyton-Jones, Director, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Co-Director, Serpentine Gallery, said: ‘Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa’s design embraces the parkland around the Serpentine Gallery as never before with an extraordinarily innovative design, which reveals the subtle play on light and perception so characteristic of their work. This Pavilion will be a wonderful addition to London’s landscape this summer. It is our dream come true.’

Separate areas within the Pavilion contain spaces for a café and an auditorium, where the Park Nights events programme will be presented, including performances, talks, film screenings and the Serpentine Gallery Poetry Marathon.