On the heels of the much talked about opening of the Serpentine Pavilion 2025—A Capsule in Time by Marina Tabassum Architects—London is now witness to Serpentine’s playful public art commission, Play Pavilion, which has taken shape alongside Serpentine South in Kensington Gardens, where the gallery hosts year-round exhibitions, cultural events and architectural showcases. Designed by renowned British architect Sir Peter Cook in collaboration with the LEGO Group, the pavilion launched on 11 June 2025, on the occasion of World Play Day, an initiative by Lego Education. Extending beyond its physical confines, the pavilion invites families, youth and intergenerational communities to celebrate architecture and culture, underlining play as a bold, inherent form of human expression. As Bettina Korek, chief executive of Serpentine, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, its artistic director, state in the press release, “[The intervention] is a new and exciting phase of a community-focused programme.” Furthermore, it honours the design philosophy of never-ending experimentation by the late architect Zaha Hadid, who long envisioned a collaboration between Serpentine and Cook.

A professional of multitudes, Cook is a pioneering figure in the fields of art, design and architecture in the United Kingdom, along with being a celebrated writer, academic and co-founder of the Archigram collective in the 1960s. His expansive portfolio spans over half a century of speculative and experimental projects that explore radical design and architecture, futurism and thought-provoking urban scenarios. Perhaps one of the most noteworthy designs by Cook is Archigram’s conceptual project, Plug-In City (1963–1966), which envisioned a vibrant assemblage of architecture and urban spaces born out of human spontaneity, all modular, exploring the intersection of architecture, technology and society. It may be inferred that a similar design philosophy, wherein playfully put together parts, create a whimsical whole, informs the Play Pavilion.

“Play transcends survival, achievement and common sense. It encourages, or at least permits us, to explore and idly delight in a territory between the wayward and speculative towards unashamed amusement,” says Cook in the press release. Describing the architectural pavilion as “a piece of theatre,” Cook draws on his decades of legacy, imagination and creative vision to realise this fusion of theatrics and play.

The sculptural design itself demonstrates a play between opacity and visibility, cleverly concealing and revealing sections of its built form to uniquely perceive the non-uniform, obscured forms. Bound to evoke intrigue among visitors from afar, the pavilion teases glimpses of activity through the perforated, scooped and dynamic walls. Incorporating LEGO Bricks into its structure and aesthetics, the immersive design setting further offers a tactile experience, encouraging participation and exploration. Challenging the notion of conventional access, the pavilion insists that people climb, jump or crawl their way into the space, creating more spontaneous opportunities for interaction and connection among the visitors. A mouth-shaped aperture invites oration and performances, becoming a lively public gathering space during socio-cultural events. The simultaneous, overlapping acts of play and performance are intentional, cultivating ambiguity, surprise and connectivity to transform the pavilion from a playful setting into an active participant.

Julia Goldin, chief product and marketing officer at the LEGO Group, states, “Play is not just a source of joy; it fosters connection and encourages exploration," in response to the pavilion’s design. Cook presents architecture as a stage, inviting visitors to spectate and participate in spontaneous acts and interactions, allowing them to partake in shaping the built environment. The Play Pavilion embraces whimsy and discovery over restraint and convention, prioritising public engagement and genuine moments of joy among the community. Through permeable boundaries, unusual forms and vibrant colours, the contemporary design pavilion reinstates the nature of play as not frivolous but formative, exhibiting it as a pivotal factor in inspiring empathy, creativity and connection among communities.