Serpentine Pavilion in London Features Bangladeshi Architect's Design

The 2025 Venice Biennale's Swiss pavilion highlights the legacy of Lisbeth Sachs, one of Switzerland's first licensed female architects, by resurrecting her 1958 kunsthalle design, marking a rare acknowledgment of women in architecture within the Giardini, which historically lacked female representation. This initiative, led by an all-woman curatorial team, aims to rewrite architectural history by emphasizing inclusivity and the vital role of women in shaping sustainable built environments. Meanwhile, London’s 2025 Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum, offers a warm, contemplative space made of wooden forms and translucent panels, reflecting her research-driven approach to architecture that prioritizes social responsibility and environmental challenges. Tabassum’s work, influenced by her experience designing climate-resilient homes for displaced communities, underscores impermanence and adaptability, aligning with the pavilion's temporary nature and its prospective future as a library. Both projects reflect a broader shift in architecture towards inclusivity, sustainability, and meaningful engagement with social issues, moving beyond traditional aesthetics to address pressing global concerns.