The Pavilion draws inspiration from the English architecture feature known as a serpentine, or crinkle-crankle, which forms one side of the pavilion
Photo Iwan Baan, Courtesy Serpentine
‘Every year the Serpentine Pavilion demonstrates how important innovative ideas are to attract public support for architecture,’ explained Arnaud Boetsch, Director of Communication and Image at Rolex. ‘This new partnership strengthens our brand’s standing in the world of the arts.
It resonates with Rolex’s enduring commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and excellence.’
A Rolex clock hangs proudly in the Pavilion, in a nod to the new partnership
The Pavilion draws inspiration from the English architecture feature known as a serpentine, or crinkle-crankle, which forms one side of the pavilion. ‘This type of brick wall, composed of alternating curves, originated in ancient Egypt and was later introduced to England by Dutch engineers,’ the studio explained. ‘Its curvilinear form provides stability through lateral support, meaning the one-brick-wide serpentine wall requires fewer bricks than a straight wall. The eponymous feature also subtly nods to the name of the nearby Serpentine lake, named for its gentle curvature.’ Speaking on Wednesday, the architects added that their intention is to reinvent the idea of the wall; to see it as a place of meeting rather than a barrier. There is a feeling of fluidity, of encouraging visitors to interact with the boundary-pushing space from all angles and aspects. ‘There is no fixed place to sit and look,’ the architects explained. ‘It’s designed for people to move, gather, and create their own experience.’ Hanging proud on one wall is a Rolex clock, serving as a gleaming reminder of this major partnership.
The Serpentine Pavilion, inaugurated in 2000 with a commission by the late, great Dame Zaha Hadid, celebrates architects who consistently extend the boundaries of contemporary architecture.
Architects Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo, pictured, wanted to explore the idea of the wall as a place of meeting and togetherness, rather than a barrier
Pia Riverola