Tent in red

the serpentne's pavilion is unmissable

A huge circus tent-like structure bursting with a "symphony" of shades of red has been unveiled as the Serpentine Gallery's annual summer pavilion in central London.

The temporary folly, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, is filled with objects intended for games and leisure, including chess sets, picnic blankets, footballs, frisbees, kites, a hammock and ping pong tables.

The pavilion commission was conceived in 2000 and each year the gallery hosts an experimental structure by an accomplished designer who has six months to complete the project.

Nouvel said the colours in his pavilion alter throughout the day and also with the seasons, creating a "symphony of red". During the day, the pavilion will house a cafe, and in the evening the area will be softly lit by candlelight as it hosts performances.

The vivid shades, reflecting the sunlight through glass, mirrors and retractable awnings which allow the roof to be open or closed, are intended to conjure up ideas of British telephone boxes, post boxes and London buses. The landmark stands as a bold contrast to London's Kensington Gardens, enriching its green backdrop.

Launching the pavilion, his first completed building in the UK, Nouvel said: "When I see the red sun through the ceiling I am happy." He said the effect of the light shining through the work makes it resemble stained glass.

Nouvel's designs are behind more than 200 buildings around the world, including Copenhagen Concert Hall, the Arab World Institute in Paris and Lyon Opera House. The award-winning architect recently unveiled his plans for a vast new National Museum of Qatar.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to see the pavilions each summer. Last year's pavilion was a "floating pool of water" created by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of Japanese architecture firm Sanaa.

There is no budget for the pavilion commission, which is partly paid for by sponsorship and the sale of the finished structure. Arts Council England is one of the organisations supporting the project.

The pavilion is open to the public from Saturday and will remain in place until October 17, after which time it is set to be sold on. Nouvel said the work should be placed in another "natural space".

07.07.10 23:15