Star architect invited to create his first built structure in England

The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2008 will be designed by architect Frank Gehry, his first built structure in England.

The Pavilion, a temporary structure for three months this summer, will operate as a cafe by day and as a venue for public events by night.

Every summer the pavilion programme provides a temporary public space in London's Kensington Gardens, attracting up to 250,000 visitors, designed by acclaimed architects and designers who, at the time of the Serpentine Gallery's invitation, have not completed a building in England..

Julia Peyton-Jones, director, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, co-director of exhibitions and programmes, at the Serpentine Gallery, said: "It is an honour to be working with Frank Gehry.

"It is a marvellous addition to the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion series, the only commission of its kind worldwide that annually gives leading architects their debut in England and brings the best of contemporary architecture to London for everyone to enjoy."

The Pavilion architects to date are:

  • Olafur Eliasson and Kjetil Thorsen, 2007;
  • Rem Koolhaas and Cecil Balmond, with Arup, 2006;
  • Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura with Cecil Balmond, Arup, 2005; MVRDV with Arup, 2004 (un-realised);
  • Oscar Niemeyer, 2003; Toyo Ito with Arup, 2002;
  • Daniel Libeskind with Arup, 2001; and Zaha Hadid, 2000.