Japanese architect promise to "expand the park and sky" with Hyde Park installation

Japanese architect SANAA has unveiled its plans for a “floating aluminium” summer pavilion for the Serpentine gallery in Hyde Park.

SANAA’s designs show a flowing aluminium structure that wraps around the trees in the park, and is supported by delicate columns.

In a statement, architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa said: “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.”

SANAA will work with structural design and engineering firm SAPS, and with Arup to create this year’s pavilion. Previous architects for the Serpentine’s annual installation have included Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Oscar Niemeyer and the RIBA gold medal winner of 2009, Alvaro Siza.

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