Jean Nouvel has been invited to design 10th Serpentine Pavilion and his first UK building

French architect Jean Nouvel will design this year's Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, his first building in the UK.

The building, which is the 10th Pavilion commission, consists of bold geometric forms, large retractable awnings and a freestanding wall that climbs 12m above the lawn. The entire design is in a vivid red.

The Pavillion will host work by French artist Christian Boltanski and will operate as a public space, a cafe and as a venue for the a programme of public talks and events, attracting up to 250,000 visitors every summer.

Nouvel will work with the structural design and engineering firm Arup, led by David Glover and Ed Clark with Cecil Balmond, as well as the developer Stanhope to realise this project.

The Pavilion will open in July on the Serpentine Gallery’s lawn, where it will remain until October.

Arup director David Glover said: “It is a privilege to support the Pavilion programme again this year on its 10th anniversary. Arup’s commitment to the Serpentine Pavilion reflects our belief in the project and the positive experience our teams get from working with some of the most exciting architects of our time.

"Ateliers Jean Nouvel are renowned for taking a rigorous and contextual approach to design which brings delight and surprise to all their projects. This year’s Pavilion is sure to be no exception.”

Peter Rogers, director of Stanhope, said: “The Serpentine Pavilion is a unique project whose innovative and challenging designs transcend normal building projects as well as fusing art and architecture in an exciting built form.”

There is no budget for the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion commission. It is paid for by sponsorship and the sale of the finished structure. This year the Pavilion is being supported by Arts Council England, through its Sustain programme.

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