The Serpentine Pavilion 2006 has opened in London’s Kensington Gardens, UK.

The centrepiece of the design -– by architect Rem Koolhaas and structural designer Cecil Balmond – features an ovoid-shaped, inflatable canopy which floats above the gallery’s lawn.

The canopy can be raised into the air or lowered to cover the amphitheatre according to the weather and it can be illuminated at night.

The walled enclosure below the canopy functions both as a café and a forum for daily televised and recorded public programmes. It will host live talks and film screenings as part of the Time Out Park Nights at the Serpentine Gallery programme.

Koolhaas said: “The pavilion will be defined by events and activities in a space which facilitates communal dialogue and shared experiences between individuals.”

Co-designer Balmond added: “Pavilions have evolved with various structural typologies and materials, provoking a debate on architecture.”

This is the sixth summer that the Serpentine has commissioned an internationally acclaimed architect to design a temporary pavilion for its lawn.

Previous architects include Zaha Hadid, 2000; Daniel Libeskind with Arup, 2001; Toyo Ito with Arup, 2002 and Oscar Niemeyer, 2003. Details: www.serpentinegallery.org