Summer Pavilion | Serpentine Gallery.

This year the Summer Pavilion is by Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei, a perfect combination. Allthough I think what really makes it very special is what it is made of - CORK, the trendiest product in the architecture and design world.

For more information, please click here.

The material softness is inviting to seat on and enjoy the sun.

Steps which become seats and seats which become tables - quite engaging, isn't it?

It's indeed all about the cork.

The cover could be a huge fish tank, don't you think?

Are these stool, tables or simply cork?

From 27 July to 12 August 2012 


Other Pavilions |
2010 by Jean Nouvel

Summer Pavilion 2011 by Peter Zumthor.

The annual series of Pavilions is the world's first and most ambitious architectural programme of its kind.

2011 Pavilion was designed by world-renowned Swiss architect Peter Sumthor which includes a beautiful garden specially created by the influential Dutch designer Piet Oudolf.

From the 1st of July until the 16th October the Serpentine Gallery  was one of the most wanted spaces in London. I was able to see it on its very last day. Luckily the weather was inviting enough to explore what architecture has the best to offer - engagement. 

One of the multi entrances.

The Garden, a space within a space. 

A dark corridor around the pavilion's perimeter which created the idea of a labyrinth. 

The Pavilion is constructed of a lightweight timber frame wrapped with coated scrim to create a dark, cloistered effect. 

The materials are so fragile that, when leaning against the wall, one could feel the vibrations created by people talking, children running and walking around. 

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011 by Peter Zumthor from Serpentine Gallery on Vimeo.

Last year's Pavilion was design by the French architect Jean Nouvel. Click here to see the photos

Love Is In The Air @ The Serpentine Gallery, London.

Every summer it’s an excitement to know who’s going to design the Summer Pavilion at the Serpentine Gallery, a project I always follow very closely.
World greatest living architects are invited to present their best work to the British public for the first time.

This year French architect Jean Nouvel is the star.

"Architecture exhibitions often have little to do with the actuality of architecture, frequently focusing on display and technology rather than on the buildings themselves." - Julia Peyton-Jones

Amazing the way the material reflects light. Look at the contrast between the natural green and the man made red.

This year is all about scale and form.

Being inside the pavilion, absorbing the space, experience the light, touch the materials in indeed the right way to gain a true understanding of it.

Lovely reflection.

An exhibition for all.

Despite busy weekends, this is a nice space to enjoy a coffee with friends.

The Wall Of Love.

If you planning to visit the Pavilion don't forget to step inside the gallery. Interesting photography exhibition by Wolfgang Tillmans.

Quintela's Palace.

Located in the charismatic Lisbon neighbourhood of Chiado and built between 1777 and 1788 the Palace is a striking example of the architectural style known as Pombaline, which dominated Lisbon's reconstruction following the earthquake of 1755.

Extensively refurbished and improved by generations of owners, the Palace was enriched with decorative plasterwork, oil paintings and frescos by Portuguese Neoclassical artists.
Awarded the status of classical heritage building of public interest in 1938, the Palace was the headquarters of IADE, one of Portugal's leading design and marketing schools, upon its establishment in 1969 and has since become the school's cultural headquarters.


For a year, the Palace's entrance and upper floor are hosting an amazing retrospective by experimentadesign about Portuguese graphic and product design, named Revolution 99-09. Next time I'll focus on the exhibition itself.

For now, we shall get indulged, dream and imagine what and how we could use this astonishing space for. Get inspired.









The detail that really catches my eye is the floor. Absorbs and balances perfectly the surrounding.



I'm totally inspired by this amazing balustrade.

MUDE – Design and Fashion Museum.

It’s not news that I’m a patriotic. Though I have a good reason to be so: not because Portugal is the best (we have a long way to go), but because projects like MUDE are the mark and inspiration to move forward.

First time I saw the collection it was a few (many) years ago at Centro Cultural de Belém, as Francisco Capelo’s private collection. It has now a new home in the Baixa Pombalina, Lisbon’s downtown, in the former head office of the Banco Nacional Ultramarino. All the original spatial features were remained which makes the space on its own a must see.

Romeo Gigli, Alexander McQueen and Ron Arad.

Spatial design is key for such outstanding and outside the box display.


“MUDE is a cosmopolitan space, an internationally renowned collection, the expression and inspiration of creative activity. MUDE is part of the force driving towards a modern Lisbon.”



1990’s by Yoshiki Hishinuma and Ana Salazar.







Every single display is a single engagement. It feels someone is telling you a little story.

Gianni Versace – Haute Couture Collection Spring/Summer 1991.

Special thanks to Pedro Teotónio Pereira, Vice Director, for allowing me to photograph on the spot and to Margarida Mata, an enthusiastic receptionist, for being a bridge to my request.