Back to Headlines
Lifestyle
Jun 03, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Brick‑First Revolution: Lanza Atelier’s Crinkle‑Crankle Wall Redefines the Serpent​ine Pavilion

AI Summary
Mexican studio Lanza Atelier has turned the 2026 Serpentine Pavilion into a serpentine‑shaped brick wall, the first time brick appears in the pavilion’s 25‑year history. The design blends historic construction techniques with climate‑responsive geometry, challenging the negative perception of walls.

The Pavilion’s Bold Brick Turn

The 2026 Serpentine Pavilion, traditionally a showcase for experimental, often temporary materials, is being built entirely of rust‑coloured brick arranged in a sinuous crinkle‑crankle wall. Mexican studio Lanza Atelier, founded by Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo, reinterprets a 17th‑century drainage technique to create a structure that is both a wall and a gathering place.

Crinkle‑Crankle Wall: A 17th‑Century Technique Reimagined

The wall follows a sinusoidal form that provides inherent stability, allowing a single brick layer without buttressing. Originating in Suffolk’s marsh‑drainage works and known in Dutch as slangenmuur, the technique also appears in Mexican and ancient Egyptian contexts. By setting bricks back‑to‑front and threading them through reinforcing bars, the pavilion can be dismantled with minimal waste.

Key Dates and Material Facts

  • Opening period: 6 June – 25 October 2026
  • Material source: Standard‑size bricks manufactured in Surrey
  • Historical note: First use of brick in the Serpentine’s 25‑year programme
  • Design intent: South‑facing wall captures winter sun, extending the growing season for on‑site fruit trees

Beyond Division: Walls as Climate‑Responsive Public Spaces

Abascal frames the wall as an “attractor” rather than a barrier, creating a series of intimate rooms that invite gathering. The curvilinear geometry not only references the park’s pond but also provides passive solar heating, demonstrating how a traditionally defensive structure can serve ecological and social functions.

Future of Temporary Architecture

By proving that a permanent‑looking material can be both lightweight and recyclable, Lanza Atelier sets a precedent for future pavilions to experiment with locally sourced, low‑impact building blocks. The success of this brick‑first approach may encourage other architects to revisit historic techniques, blending heritage with contemporary sustainability goals.