A pair of modest pavilions that become a yearly laboratory—go for the art, stay for the architecture conversations.
A complex of two contemporary art galleries in Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, in the center of London. These are the Serpentine Gallery and the Serpentine Sackler Gallery.
Visitor Guide
If you’re here in summer, ask what temporary pavilion is up; if not, focus on the galleries’ relationship to the park paths.
From the lawn in Kensington Gardens, late afternoon for long park shadows; pavilion (when present) is best at golden hour.
Public galleries, typically free entry; special exhibitions/events may ticket. Check current opening hours; queues can spike on weekends.
The Serpentine’s real architectural power is curatorial: it’s a platform that commissions temporary experiments that shape architectural discourse.
1–2 hours
Design & Structure
Permanent galleries are straightforward, but the institution’s ‘design process’ story is the annual pavilion commission—rapid prototyping, temporary structures, and experimental materials tested in public.
Brick/plaster heritage shells plus temporary pavilion materials (varies): the contrast is part of the point—stable container, unstable experiment.
Temporary pavilion engineering often explores lightweight systems, demountable connections, and fast construction—architecture as pop-up research.
See Together
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Serpentine Galleries?+
Serpentine Galleries was designed by SANAA and completed in 1970. It is located in City of Westminster, United Kingdom.
Where is Serpentine Galleries located?+
Serpentine Galleries is located in City of Westminster, United Kingdom. Its coordinates are 51.5047°, -0.1751°.
When was Serpentine Galleries built?+
Serpentine Galleries was completed in 1970. It was designed by SANAA.
Can I visit Serpentine Galleries?+
Serpentine Galleries is a real building in City of Westminster that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.