Francis Kéré to design 2017 Serpentine Pavilion

Diébédo Francis Kéré of Berlin-based Kéré Architecture has joined the lucky list of architects to design the Serpentine Pavilion for 2017, the Serpentine Galleries announced today. Since the program launched in 2000, the yearly public pavilion has been interpreted in various architectural styles by the world's leading architects — so guessing what the upcoming pavilion will look like is part of the fun. Over the years, the Serpentine Galleries has invited architects like Zaha Hadid, Sou Fujimoto, Jean Nouvel, Herzog & de Meuron with Ai Wei Wei, Peter Zumthor, SANAA, Smiljan Radic, SelgasCano, and Bjarke Ingels Group.

The pavilion will be open to the public starting June 23 until October 8, 2017. With an aptitude for designing socially and ecologically engaged architecture, here's a first glimpse at Kéré's Serpentine Pavilion and some of his previous designs.

Kéré's tree-like pavilion is based on the tree that serves as a central gathering point in his hometown of Gando, Burkino Faso. The largely wooden pavilion features an expansive roof supported by a central steel framework, and allows air circulation and shelter against the London rain and summer heat.

The Serpentine Pavilion will provide four separate entry points with an open air courtyard in the center, where visitors can sit and relax. An oculus will funnel any water that collects on the roof to create a waterfal effect, before the water goes through a drainage system in the floor for later irrigation use for the park.

Kere's design “highlight[s] the power of simplicity by reducing architecture to its core elements, modelled in harmony with the natural context of Royal Kensington Gardens”, commented Serpentine Galleries CEO Yana Peel and Artistic Director Hans Ulrich Obrist.

“I am fascinated by how this artificial landscape [at the Serpentine] offered a new way for people in the city to experience nature,” Francis Kéré said in a statement. “In Burkina Faso, I am accustomed to being confronted with climate and natural landscape as a harsh reality. For this reason, I was interested in how my contribution to this Royal Park could not only enhance the visitor's experience of nature, but also provoke a new way for people to connect with each other.”

Once the pavilion opens on June 23, the Serpentine will host its yearly program of public events, including Park Nights 2017, a public performance series, the third annual Build Your Own Pavilion youth event, and more.

Check out previous Serpentine Pavilions in the links below.